Background
Allen was born in Woodford County, Illinois.
Allen was born in Woodford County, Illinois.
He joined the 39th Illinois infantry Regiment from Bloomington, Illinois in January 1864, and mustered out with his regiment on December 6, 1865. By the time the 39th was involved in the Siege of St. Petersburg, Virginia, Allen was a corporal in Company K. When the regiment (as part of the XXIV Corps under Major General John Gibbon) was assaulting Fort Gregg on April 2, 1865 under heavy fire, he was at the front as a color bearer. At the surrender ceremony at Appomattox Courthouse a week later, Allen was given the honor of carrying Illinois" flag.
He later traveled to Washington, District of Columbia with General Gibbon and 76 captured Confederate colors.
Allen died in 1905 and is buried in Centerburg Cemetery, Centerburg, Ohio.