Charles Herman Allen

Charles Herman Allen (February 11, 1828 – September 11, 1904) was an American educator and academic administrator. He taught classes and served in administrative roles across the U.S. states of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Oregon, and California, most notably becoming the principal of the Platteville Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Platteville) and the California State Normal School (now San Jose State University).

Early life and career Charles Herman Allen was born in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, on February 11, 1828, to parents Almon Allen and Polly Bates. When he was young, a "spinal curve" developed which caused significant damage to his nervous system, and would follow him for the rest of his life. He initially attended common schools of the area, before dropping out of his secondary education after only a single semester due to health issues. Initially, guided by his physicians away from further academic work, he became a cutler, however after a local teacher resigned due to illness, he began teaching for additional income, and found a passion for teaching. He then re-enrolled in secondary education, attending Westfield Academy and earning a New York Teacher's Certificate, while continuing to teach in New York common schools, and work as a cutler during the vacations.

In 1851, he moved to McKean County in Pennsylvania, where he became the principal of a Smethport School. He served as principal until 1854 when a decline in his health necessitated his resignation. His recovery took multiple years, during which he worked as a land surveyor.

University of Wisconsin In the summer of 1859 Allen was invited to Madison, Wisconsin, by Henry Barnard, the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, to help organize a series of teachers' institutes designed to further develop prospective educators. Allen initially spent only that summer in Wisconsin before returning to Pennsylvania. However, after Barnard's resignation in 1860, Allen was offered and accepted positions as an agent for the State Board of Normal Regents and as the director of the teachers' institutes at the university.

For the 1860–61 academic year he taught at a private normal and high school in Madison, with the intent to continue running the teachers' institute in the summer,

In 1863 the University of Wisconsin saw declining enrollment due to the ongoing Civil War. Allen, as normal regent board member, reasoned that opening the university to women would help alleviate the issue and fought to departmentalize the existing education classes. Several students, alumni, and faculty opposed allowing female enrollment, but on March 16, 1863, the normal department opened anyway, with Allen as principal.

Despite its recent founding, the normal department was briefly suspended after the 1863–64 academic year when Allen and 30 of his senior students enlisted in the 40th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment as Hundred Days Men for the still-ongoing Civil War. Allen served as the captain of Company D, which marched to and defended, Memphis, Tennessee.

In January 1865, with his health failing him yet again, Allen issued his resignation from the university. His resignation was initially effective at the end of the school year; however, he stayed an additional semester, leaving the university at the end of the calendar year, 1865.

Platteville Normal School Allen in 1868–69, serving as the Principal of the Platteville Normal SchoolThe Platteville Normal School opened on October 9, 1866, with Allen as one of five full-time faculty members. Attendance was 110 in the first year, with attempts made to solidify the academic foundation of the nascent institution, including the foundation of a literary society and the construction of additional buildings.

He served as the principal of the Platteville Normal School until 1870, when after a severe bronchitis attack, he decided to resign from the position. He served as principal there for eight months between 1871 and 1872, before returning to Wisconsin to run a summer teachers' institute.

California State Normal School On October 7, 1872, Allen was hired by the California State Normal School (currently San Jose State University) in San Jose, California, as a teacher of natural sciences, music, and drawing. Because of his lengthy experiences in other states, he was quickly promoted, first to be the vice-principal in March 1873, and then principal on August 5 of that year. The building was completed in 1881. During this period, Allen attempted to issue his resignation from the State Normal School, citing the sharp criticism his administration received following the debate over moving the school after the fire, however he was persuaded to remain as principal by the California State Board of Education and the board of trustees.

Allen died on September 11, 1904, in San Jose, California after suffering a lung hemorrhage. His wife, Abigail, died on December 3, 1905, after suffering a broken hip.

Legacy In his time, Allen was very well regarded by his peers. At his retirement in 1889, the San Jose State Normal School wrote that "California— the whole coast, in fact— owes him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid."

In 2007, Allen's home in Platteville contributed to the West Main Street Historic District, which was listed to the National Register of Historic Places.