Joseph H. Allen

Joseph H. Allen
21st Supervisor of Brunswick, New York
In office
1856–1857
Preceded byWilliam Lape
Succeeded byAlanson Cook
Personal details
Born(1821-09-05)September 5, 1821
Alburg, Vermont
DiedApril 24, 1884(1884-04-24) (aged 62)
Eagle Mills, New York
NationalityAmerican
Political partyWhig, Democrat
SpouseSarah H. Payne
ChildrenSarah and Cornelia May
OccupationInfantryman, businessman, industrialist, politician
Signature
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Union Army
Years of service1862–1865
Rank Lieutenant colonel
Commands169th New York Volunteer Infantry
Battles/warsCivil War

Joseph H. Allen (September 5, 1821 – April 24, 1884) was an industrial businessman, an officer in the Civil War, and a town supervisor[a] of Brunswick, New York. Allen was born in Alburg, Vermont, to parents of British descent and left home at an early age. After several business ventures, he became successful in the auger and hoe business, selling mainly to the American South. He successfully ran for supervisor of the Town of Brunswick in 1856 and justice of the peace in 1861. At the beginning of the Civil War, his sales plummeted so he closed his business and enlisted in the Union Army. Allen was wounded multiple times during his service and ended his career at the rank of lieutenant colonel. He returned home to reopen his factory, which was instrumental to the industrial success of the hamlet of Eagle Mills in the mid to late 19th century. He died in 1884 at the age of 62.