Alfred Marston Allen
The man who starts in business or professional life with a sound constitution, undaunted courage and a laudable determination to win may be depended upon to carry off the laurels, provided he possesses good habits and substantial staying powers. Alfred Marston Allen, of Cincinnati, apparently began with the qualities above named, as he has made a success of his work and is recognized as one of the leading attorneys in patent law practice in this city. He was born at Glendale, Ohio, November 21, 1860, a son of Samuel B. Allen, who was born at Sandwich, Massachusetts, in October, 1817. Samuel B. Allen came west and engaged in the wholesale and retail drug business in this city as Allen and Company, his establishment being located at Fifth and Main Streets. He died October 2, 1879. The mother, whose maiden name was Bertha Nye, was born at Sandwich, Massachusetts, in 1827. James Allen, the great-grandfather of our subject on the paternal side, was a patriot of the Revolutionary war. There were three children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Allen; Alfred Marston; Samuel E., who is now engaged in the practice of medicine in Cincinnati; and Martha, who also lives in Cincinnati and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Alfred M. Allen received his early education in the public schools and was graduated at the Hughes High School in 1877. He matriculated at Harvard University, graduating in 1882 with the degree of A. B., and soon afterward entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL.B. in 1884. He immediately opened an office in this city and engaged in general practice for five years, but since 1889 he has specialized in patent law and has met with more than the ordinary measure of success in this department.
On the 29th of March, 1885, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Hannah C. Smith, a native of this city and a daughter of Erastus M. and Mrs. (McAlpin) Smith. Mrs. Smith was for many years senior member of the well known commission firm of Smith & McAlpin. Four children came to brighten the home of Mrs. And Mrs. Allen, namely: Martson, who was born in June, 1887, and received the degree of B. A. at Harvard University in 1908 and the degree of LL.B. at the Cincinnati Law School in 1911, graduating at the head of his class; Erastus S., was born in 1889 and was graduated at Harvard in 1909, being now connected with the Procter & Gamble Company at Ivorydale; Bertah M., who was born March 31, 1894, and was graduated at the Glendale High School in 1911, now a student at Wellesley of the class of 1915; and Mary McAlpin, born October 17, 1901, and now attending the public schools. Mr. Allen is a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association and in politics is an adherent of the republican party. He served as member of the council of Glendale from 1886 to 1889, as village solicitor from 1890 to 1892, as mayor of the village since 1896 with the exception of two years and for four years past has very acceptably occupied a chair as member and president of the board of education. Socially he is connected with the University Club, the Business Men's Club, the Cincinnati Golf Club, the Hamilton Golf Club and the Harvard Club, serving as president of the last named in 1910-1911. He is also one of the board of governors of the University Club. The various positions of responsibility which he has been called upon to fill by his neighbors and friends indicate the esteem in which he is held by those to whom he is best known. Always courageous and outspoken in his views, he desires for others the same freedom he asks for himself. On account of ability, integrity and friendly attitude toward all movements aiming to promote the general good he is regarded by his associates as one of the most useful citizens of the community.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Vol. 3; Rev. Charles Frederic Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912