From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902.

Typed by Carol Taylor Lanza.

Pages 785 & 786

THOMAS ALLEN, who is proprietor of the Allen Hotel, in Wheeling, West 
Virginia, was born in that city, November 14, 1862, and is a son of 
Edward Allen.

Edward Allen was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1839, and at the age 
of thirteen years came to the United States. He first located in New 
Orleans, and later moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he now lives 
in retirement.  After locating in Wheeling, Mr. Allen worked as puddler 
in the iron business.  He was employed at the Riverside Iron Works for 
seventeen years.  In 1861 he married Mary McNamara, who was born in 
Ireland in 1844.  They are the parents of the following children, 
namely:  Thomas, the subject of this biography; Maggie; Mary; Sadie; 
Nora; Stella; and Wilmer. 

Thomas Allen was educated in the Catholic school of the eighth ward in 
Wheeling.  His first work was as helper in a brickyard, where he was 
employed for two years.  The following seven years were spent at the 
Benwood Iron Works.  He was employed at the Riverside Iron Works for 
eight and a half years, eventually holding one of the most important 
positions with that company. In 1892, thinking that he could better his 
financial condition, he opened up a liquor store, and followed that 
line of business until 1896, when he engaged in the hotel business.  
His hotel is located on the southwest corner of Forty-eighth and Jacob 
Streets in Wheeling, and is well patronized.  Mr. Allen is a genial 
man, hospitable and kind, and is well known in Wheeling and in Benwood, 
where he lived for a number of years.

In 1889 Mr. Allen married Hannah Hoffman, who was born in Jackson, 
Michigan, January 26, 1867.  Her parents were Louis and Jemima 
(Douglass) Hoffman, natives of Germany and Philadelphia respectively.  
They were the parents of 11 children; both parents are deceased.  Mr. 
And Mrs. Allen had the following children:  Edward, deceased; Thomas 
William, born September 25, 1892; and Charles N., born September 5, 
1894.

Politically, Mr. Allen is a Democrat.  Socially, he is a member of the 
Ancient Order of Hibernians and St. John's Knights of Fidelity.  He 
belongs to the Carroll Club of Wheeling.  Mr. And Mrs. Allen are 
members of the Catholic Church.