People Name: Allen, Thomas Profession: Business Person, Politician Category: African-American Experience, Politics and Government, Transportation and Infrastructure Born/Started: 1813 Died/Ended: 1882 Description: One of the early developers of South St. Louis, Thomas Allen was a prominent attorney who became a state senator and U.S. Congressman. Allen married Ann Russell, the daughter of William Russell, a wealthy landowner and the deputy surveyor for the new American Territorial government who replaced Antoine Soulard. He inherited property and land in the town´s southside and continued to buy, sell and lease additional land and buildings in the area, amassing an even greater fortune. By 1850 he also assumed control of the Pacific Railroad, which was later renamed Missouri Pacific. He served on the city council and then the state senate from 1850-1854. Allen was one of the first to build a home in the exclusive area of South St. Louis called Lucas Place. In 1867 Allen purchased the Iron Mountain Railroad, which ran from St. Louis to the lead mines of the Eastern Ozarks. He eventuallly extended the route to the Gulf of Mexico. In 1881 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he died in office in 1882. Detailed Description: He was a prominent attorney when he married Ann Russell, the daughter of a wealthy landowner William Russell, deputy surveyor for the new American Territorial government, replacing Antoine Soulard. He inherited property and land in the area´s southside, and continued to buy, sell, and lease additional land and buildings in the area, amassing an even greater fortune. By 1850 he also assumed control of the Pacific Railroad which was later renamed Missouri Pacific. He also served on the city council and then the state senate from 1850-1854. Allen was one of the first to build a home in the exclusive area of South St. Louis called Lucas Place. In 1867 he purchased an additional railroad, the Iron Mountain, which ran from St. Louis to the lead mines of the Eastern Ozarks. He eventuallly extended the route to the Gulf of Mexico. In 1881 he was elected to the United States House of Reprersentatives where he died in office in 1882. |
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