John Allen | |
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| Born | May 17, 1797 |
| Died | March 11, 1851 (aged 53) near San Francisco, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, lawyer |
| Known for | co-founding Ann Arbor |
John Allen (died March 11, 1851) was an American pioneer and a co-founder, along with Elisha Rumsey, of the American city of Ann Arbor, Michigan. [1]
John Allen, the son of a wealthy farmer, was born in Augusta County, Virginia, on May 17, 1796. He had two children with his first wife, Mary Crawford: James and Elizabeth. [2] After Crawford's death, he married Ann I. (Barry) McCue, a widow with two sons: John and Thomas. Both Crawford and McCue had large inheritances, but historical records maintain that Allen left Virginia primarily to escape financial difficulties. [3]
Allen left Virginia in fall 1823 with a herd of cattle which he intended to sell in Baltimore. From Baltimore, he went to Buffalo, New York, where he stayed for two months while looking for an associate. He moved on to Detroit in January 1824, where he met Elisha Rumsey. [4] Rumsey was also looking for an opportunity to escape the mistakes of his past and work toward a better future. [5]
In early February 1824, Allen and Rumsey left Detroit. After choosing their site, they returned to Detroit on February 14 to register their claims at the federal land office. [6] Allen, the wealthier of the two men, purchasing 480 acres (1.9 km2) for $600. Rumsey purchased 160 acres (0.65 km2) for $200. They also purchased the right to have their village designated the county seat for $1,000. [3] On May 25, the town plot was registered in Wayne County. [4] Initially, the name of the town was written "Annarbour", but thereafter it appeared as two words. According to Russell Bidlack's Ann Arbor's First Lady: Events in the Life of Ann I. Allen (1998), Ann Arbor was named in honor of John Allen's wife, Ann. Other writers have suggested that Ann Arbor was named for both Ann Allen (wife of Allen) and Mary Ann Rumsey (wife of Rumsey). [7]
Allen found a new start in Ann Arbor, as well as financial success. He became an owner of several thousand acres of land in the western part of Michigan. He was directly involved in many of the civic duties and functions of Ann Arbor, and was largely responsible for its initial success. He promoted Ann Arbor as a great place to live, establishing its first post office in 1825, and becoming its first postmaster. He also served in other positions, including Coroner and Justice of the Peace. Having studied law with James Kingsley, he was admitted to the Bar of Washtenaw County in 1832. Before becoming a lawyer, he unsuccessfully ran for state representative. He later won a seat in the state senate, serving from 1845 to 1848. Allen and Samuel Dexter established Western Emigrant, Ann Arbor's first newspaper, which they used to promote their anti-Mason views. [3]
Having become very influential in Ann Arbor, Allen moved to New York to better manage his financial affairs. He was unsuccessful in New York and by 1850, he had lost most of his wealth in real estate. Looking for ways to regain his fortune, he went west in 1850 to try his luck in the California Gold Rush. He died on March 11, 1851, near San Francisco. [3]
Ann Arbor is a college town and the county seat of Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States. The 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851, making it the fifth-most populous city in Michigan. It is the principal city of the Ann Arbor metropolitan area, which encompasses all of Washtenaw County and had 372,258 residents in 2020. Ann Arbor is also included in the Metro Detroit combined statistical area and the Great Lakes megalopolis.
Sebewa Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 1,171 and decreased to 1,124 at the 2020 census.
The recorded history of Ann Arbor began with settlers from various eastern states in early 1824.
Randolph Rogers was an American Neoclassical sculptor. An expatriate who lived most of his life in Italy, his works ranged from popular subjects to major commissions, including the Columbus Doors at the U.S. Capitol and American Civil War monuments.
John Hieftje is an American politician who served as the 60th mayor of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Hieftje began his political career in 1999, when he was elected to the city council for Ann Arbor's 1st Ward as a Democrat. He was first as Mayor in 2000, and was re-elected in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012.
Albert H. Wheeler was an American life-sciences professor and politician in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He became the city's first African-American mayor, serving in the office from 1975 to 1978.
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Charles Clinton Ellsworth was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.
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Washtenaw County Fairgrounds is a former fairground and football field for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The City of Ann Arbor purchased the 40-acre property in 1951 to become Veterans Park. The Fairgrounds then moved to Ann Arbor-Saline Road.
Samuel Floyd Angus was an American business owner and professional sports team owner. He was the principal owner of the Detroit Tigers of the American League from November 1901 through October 1903.
Elisha Walker Rumsey was an American pioneer and co-founder of the U.S. city of Ann Arbor. He and John Allen founded Ann Arbor in 1824.
Detroit's Marwil Bookstore was a local bookstore in Detroit, Michigan. The store was independently owned by Milton and Lenore Marwil. Located on the Wayne State University campus, it was a cultural attraction for the students, faculty and community of Wayne State University. Marwil Bookstore closed permanently in December 2013.
Henry Rumsey was an American judge and politician in the U.S. state of Michigan. He was a member of the Michigan Senate in its first term, and a portion of his farm became the campus of the University of Michigan.
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