Ebenezer Allen

Ebenezer C. Allen (April 8, 1804 – 1863) was a Texian and American businessman who served as a secretary of state and attorney general of the Republic of Texas. He was also the attorney general of the State of Texas. He was an early Texas railroad promoter.

Early life Allen was born in Newport, New Hampshire, in 1804 to David and Hannah (Wilcox) Allen.

Legal career and move to Texas He attended Dartmouth College, graduating in 1826. Allen moved to Orono, Maine, and married Sylvina Morse in 1833. He practiced law there for a time before he went to Galveston, Texas. He arrived during the Texas Revolution and practiced law in Galveston.

Official of the Republic of Texas On December 9, 1844, Allen was elected Attorney General of the Republic of Texas. He served under President Anson Jones, resigning in July 1845. He then served as acting Secretary of State, during the absence of Ashbel Smith, assisting with the annexation negotiations with the United States Government.

Later career Allen was the primary business leader of the Galveston and Red River Railroad Company when the State of Texas granted the company a charter in 1848.

In 1861, with Texas' secession from the United States, Allen entered the service of the Confederate States of America. He died in Richmond, Virginia, in 1863.

Memorials The city of Allen, Texas, which was founded when the Houston and Texas Central Railway built a depot there, was named for Ebenezer Allen.