Charles Chester Allen
Biography
As published in
"The City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Wisconsin: A Record of Settlement,
Organization, Progress and Achievement"
by Frank H. Lyman Vol. 2, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1916.
The history of Kenosha County, would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there
failure to make prominent reference to the Allen family which through three
generations has figured most actively in the promotion of manufacturing
interests here. It is true that Charles C. Allen entered upon a business already
established, but in enlarging and developing this many a man of less resolute
spirit would have failed. His record also proves that success is not a matter of
genius and held by some, but is rather the outcome of clear judgment, experience
and initiative. Charles Chester Allen is today at the head of the
Chicago-Kenosha Hosiery Company, operating the largest exclusive hosiery
business in the U. S.
Mr. Allen was born March 19, 1880, in the city in which he still resides, his
parents being Charles W. and Ella (French) Allen. His father, also a native of
Kenosha, was educated in the public schools here, and in 1870 was admitted to
partnership with his father, Nathan R. Allen, in the firm of N. R. Allen & Son.
For a considerable period that firm furnished employment to a large share of the
industrial population of Kenosha. After ten years another son, Nathan, Jr., was
admitted to partnership and the firm style was changed to N. R. Allen & Sons,
and following the death of the senior partner in 1890 the name of N. R. Allen's
Sons Company was assumed. The manufacturing industry of this firm covered a wide
scope, furnishing employment to a thousand people and their tanning plant is
said to have exceeded in size and importance that of any other establishment of
similar character in the world.
On the 4th of April 1878, Charles W. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Ella
French, a daughter of Alvin and Nancy (Stevens) French. Alvin French was one of
the honored pioneer settlers of Wisconsin, establishing his home about three
miles from Kenosha in 1835. To Mr and Mrs. Allen were born two sons and a
daughter, Charles C., Robert W., and Gertrude E. The father, continued at the
head of the large interests of the N. R. Allen's Sons Company until death
terminated his connection therewith in 1911.
Charles Chester Allen pursued a public school education in Kenosha to the age of
eighteen years, and then became a student in the engineering department of the
University of Wisconsin, where he remained for three years. His initial business
training was received under the direction of his father and he acquainted
himself with every phase of the interests conducted by the family, serving as
President of the N. R. Allen's Sons Company from 1910 until 1912. His activities
cover a very wide scope, and have featured most prominently in the material
development and upbuilding of the city. He is now identified with the
Chicago-Kenosha Hosiery Company as its President, and his study of questions
affecting the trade has resulted in well defined plans for the improvement,
development and promotion of the business. While he is not actuated by any
spirit of vaulting ambition, he does not hesitate to take a forward step when
the way is open, and his initiative has enabled him to take the lead in
instituting plans and methods which have been effectively resultant.
On the 15th of April, 1903, Mr. ALLEN was married to Miss Susan Keels Swandale,
of Greenville, South Carolina, and they have three children: Charles William,
Tupper Swandale, and Chester French. Charles Chester Allen is preeminently a
business man, alert and enterprising, free from ostentation and display. On
meeting him, one at once recognizes his reserve strength and feels that he would
go at once to the root of matters, and not be led astray by dissimulation or
over emphasis of a minor point.
Typed by: Michelle Laycock