Career
Henry Allen came to Gloucester from Stroud with the late Alderman Joseph Reynolds in 1860, to begin operating the City Flour Mills. The Gloucester City Flour Mills had been operated by Joseph and Jonah Hadley since 1850. Henry Allen retired from the mills in about 1878 and the firm later became Priday, Metford and Company Limited.
Henry Allen represented the West Ward on the Gloucester City Council for the Liberals and was elected Mayor in 1873. He was the last Chief Magistrate of Gloucester before the important extension of the city boundaries. He was a steadfast supporter of the Temperance movement and was a justice of the peace for many years.
Henry Allen married three times. Mary Ann was the daughter of John Richardson (died 1846), who was the son of John Richardson (died 1788) and Elizabeth Pitt, who was the daughter of Dr Charles Pitt. He lived at Elm Villa, London Road, Gloucester and around the time of his death at , Gloucester.
Their granddaughters included Margaret Winifred Pearce. Henry Allen owned a number of notable properties around the city of Gloucester. He lived with his family in the Old customs house.
In December 1988 The Citizen newspaper in Gloucester included a reference to Henry Allen. This was included in its "200 Years Ago" section. This states "200 Years Ago: TO LET. is at length quite free by introduction of a splendid new quay on the side of the noble river Severn, which will, now that the quay is completed, offer some first rate navigation.
Apply Henry Allen, Quay, Gloucester".
