Frank G. Allen
Encyclopedia
Frank G. Allen was a Governor of Massachusetts
.
Allen was born in Lynn, Massachusetts
on October 6, 1874. A businessman and executive with the Winslow Brothers & Smith Company from 1893, he rose to become the company's president from 1912 to 1929, and was married to Clara Winslow in 1897.
He entered public service as a member of the Norwood, Massachusetts
, Board of Assessors from 1910 to 1915 and as a Norwood Town Selectman from 1915 to 1922. During that period, he also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives
from 1918 to 1919, and in the Massachusetts Senate
from 1921 to 1924. In 1924, he was elected Lieutenant Governor
of Massachusetts, having defeated the Democratic ticket of James Michael Curley
and runningmate James Henry Brennan with fellow Republican Governor Alvan T. Fuller
from 1925 to 1929, when he succeeded Fuller as Governor, and served until 1931.
During the administration of Governor Allen, he established the Massachusetts Transit Authority (now the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
), the Massachusetts Port Authority
, and the state's Industrial Commission. He expanded facilities to care for the sick and the indigent, and in an unusual move for the times, appointed two women to judgeships in Massachusetts. He also signed the bill granting the Eastern Nazarene College
the power to grant degrees in Massachusetts on March 12, 1930, after the school defended its petition before the General Court.
In 1930, Governor Allen was defeated for re-election by Democrat Joseph B. Ely
, and returned to the Winslow Brothers & Smith Company, where he served as Chairman of the Board until his death.
Allen died in 1950, and is buried in Highland Cemetery in Norwood, Massachusetts
. He was survived by his wife, his son Frank Allen, Jr. and his daughter Mrs. Frances V. Crane (Mary Winslow Allen Crane).
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Allen was born in Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
on October 6, 1874. A businessman and executive with the Winslow Brothers & Smith Company from 1893, he rose to become the company's president from 1912 to 1929, and was married to Clara Winslow in 1897.
He entered public service as a member of the Norwood, Massachusetts
Norwood, Massachusetts
Norwood is a town and census-designated place in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,602. The community was named after Norwood, England...
, Board of Assessors from 1910 to 1915 and as a Norwood Town Selectman from 1915 to 1922. During that period, he also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
from 1918 to 1919, and in the Massachusetts Senate
Massachusetts Senate
The Massachusetts Senate is the upper house of the Massachusetts General Court, the bicameral state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Senate comprises 40 elected members from 40 single-member senatorial districts in the state...
from 1921 to 1924. In 1924, he was elected Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of Massachusetts, having defeated the Democratic ticket of James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley was an American politician famous for his four terms as mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. He also served twice in the United States House of Representatives and one term as 53rd Governor of Massachusetts.-Early life:Curley's father, Michael Curley, left Oughterard, County...
and runningmate James Henry Brennan with fellow Republican Governor Alvan T. Fuller
Alvan T. Fuller
Alvan Tufts Fuller was a United States Representative from Massachusetts. He became one of the wealthiest men in America, with an automobile dealership which in 1920 was recognized as "the world's most successful auto dealership." He was elected a member of the Massachusetts House of...
from 1925 to 1929, when he succeeded Fuller as Governor, and served until 1931.
During the administration of Governor Allen, he established the Massachusetts Transit Authority (now the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, often referred to as the MBTA or simply The T, is the public operator of most bus, subway, commuter rail and ferry systems in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area. Officially a "body politic and corporate, and a political subdivision" of the...
), the Massachusetts Port Authority
Massachusetts Port Authority
Massachusetts Port Authority, or Massport, is a port district in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It operates seaports and airports in eastern and central Massachusetts, mainly the Port of Boston. Its headquarters is located in the Logan Office Center, adjacent to Logan Airport in East Boston,...
, and the state's Industrial Commission. He expanded facilities to care for the sick and the indigent, and in an unusual move for the times, appointed two women to judgeships in Massachusetts. He also signed the bill granting the Eastern Nazarene College
Eastern Nazarene College
The Eastern Nazarene College is a private, coeducational college of the liberal arts and sciences in Quincy, Massachusetts near Boston, in the New England region of the United States. Known for its strong religious affiliation, distinctive liberal arts core curriculum, and excellence in science...
the power to grant degrees in Massachusetts on March 12, 1930, after the school defended its petition before the General Court.
In 1930, Governor Allen was defeated for re-election by Democrat Joseph B. Ely
Joseph B. Ely
Joseph Buell Ely was the 52nd Governor of the U.S. state of Massachusetts.Born in Westfield, Massachusetts, Joseph B. Ely graduated from Williams College in 1902, before earning a degree from Harvard Law School in 1905. He returned to Westfield and practiced law as a partner of Ely & Ely and...
, and returned to the Winslow Brothers & Smith Company, where he served as Chairman of the Board until his death.
Allen died in 1950, and is buried in Highland Cemetery in Norwood, Massachusetts
Norwood, Massachusetts
Norwood is a town and census-designated place in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,602. The community was named after Norwood, England...
. He was survived by his wife, his son Frank Allen, Jr. and his daughter Mrs. Frances V. Crane (Mary Winslow Allen Crane).