Frank Van Allen was the son of Martin and Martha (Bowen) Van Allen. He was born on January 10, 1860, in Dubuque, Iowa, to which place his parents had removed from New York State.
He was a descendant of Pieter van Allen, who came to New Netherland in 1658.
The boy's preparatory education was obtained in Lake View High School, Chicago, Illinois, where he distinguished himself as a student.
Entering Yale in 1881, he received from that institution the degrees of B. A. in 1885, M. D. in 1887, and B. D. in 1888.
Van Allen was ordained to the Congregational ministry at West Haven, Connecticut, on May 21, 1888. Sailing with his wife from New York October 13, under the commission of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, he arrived in Dindigul, Madura, South India, on November 28. Except for several furloughs, he spent the remainder of his life in Madura, engaged in medical missionary service.
After a brief time in Dindigul, he moved to Madura City, where he took charge of a mission dispensary which had been in operation since 1834. Under his direction, it rendered a continually increasing service. In 1890, he reported the treatment of 13, 000 cases; six years later the number had doubled, and in 1897 it reached 47, 200. The following year a new men's hospital, the Albert Victoria Memorial, was completed, and on October 29 it was opened by the governor of Madras.
On this occasion, an address was delivered by the Raja of Ramnad, one of the chief donors. The cost was $14, 000, provided almost entirely by non-Christians of India, and the expense of maintenance was borne largely by "native" subscriptions. Van Allen never charged specific fees for any service but received "thank-offerings, " which, even before 1896, approximated $7, 000. In 1902, the gifts amounted to 6, 300 rupees, including a donation of 1, 800 from a Zamindar (landowner) for the cure of his wife, who had not walked for four years previously.
In 1905, another Zamindar gave 5, 000 rupees. That year, the in-patients of the hospital numbered 346, the out-patients, 20, 800, and 1, 100 operations were performed, including many leg amputations. These figures indicate the extent of service rendered, and its generous support by Indians. The doctor came to hold a place of highest esteem throughout the district. Branches of the hospital were opened at Aruppukottai and Manamadura, in the latter place in connection with a leper colony.
On the death of his wife in 1911, Van Allen founded for the needy the Harriet Gurnee Fund. He had rendered especially conspicuous service during times of plague and cholera. Ultimately, he fell victim to the risks of his own service. Unknown to others until the last year of his affliction, he suffered for a decade from an incurable disease, contracted while he operated on a patient.
Shortly before his death, he resigned the headship of the hospital and retired to the nearby village of Melur to live his remaining days among the Christians there.
In September 1888, Van Allen was married in Chicago to Harriet Adelia Gurnee. They had four children.
