William F. Allen (New York)
Encyclopedia
William Fitch Allen was an American lawyer and politician.
. He graduated from Union College
in 1826. Then he studied law in the office of John C. Wright
at Esperance, New York, and in the office of C. M. and E. S. Lee at Rochester, New York
. He was admitted to the bar in 1829, and commenced practice in partnership with George Fisher
at Oswego until 1833. In 1834, he formed a partnership with Abraham P. Grant
which continued until his election to the New York State Supreme Court.
He was a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly
in 1843 and 1844. From 1845 to 1847, he was United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York
. He was a justice of the New York Supreme Court from 1847 to 1863, and sat ex officio on the Court of Appeals in 1854 and 1862. In 1863, he removed to New York City
and resumed the practice of law.
He was New York State Comptroller
from 1868 to 1870. He had been re-elected in 1869
, but resigned in July 1870 when he was chosen a judge of the New York Court of Appeals
upon its re-organization after the amendment of the State Constitution in 1869. He remained on the bench until his death in office.
Life
He was the eldest son of Abner Harvey Allen and Cynthia Palmer, a sister of the mother of Sanford E. ChurchSanford E. Church
Sanford Elias Church was an American lawyer and Democratic politician...
. He graduated from Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1826. Then he studied law in the office of John C. Wright
John C. Wright (comptroller)
-Life:He practiced at Esperance, New York. He was First Judge of the Schoharie County Court from 1838 to 1843.He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1843 to 1846....
at Esperance, New York, and in the office of C. M. and E. S. Lee at Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. He was admitted to the bar in 1829, and commenced practice in partnership with George Fisher
George Fisher (New York)
George Fisher was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in Franklin, Massachusetts, Fisher attended the common schools and Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.He studied law....
at Oswego until 1833. In 1834, he formed a partnership with Abraham P. Grant
Abraham P. Grant
Abraham Phineas Grant was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born in New Lebanon, New York, Grant attended the public schools and graduated from Hamilton College, Clinton, New York. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1828...
which continued until his election to the New York State Supreme Court.
He was a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1843 and 1844. From 1845 to 1847, he was United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York
United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York
The United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York is the chief federal law enforcement officer in 32 counties in the northern part of the State of New York. The current U.S. Attorney is Richard S. Hartunian who was nominated on December 23, 2009, by President Barack Obama, confirmed...
. He was a justice of the New York Supreme Court from 1847 to 1863, and sat ex officio on the Court of Appeals in 1854 and 1862. In 1863, he removed to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and resumed the practice of law.
He was New York State Comptroller
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
from 1868 to 1870. He had been re-elected in 1869
New York state election, 1869
The 1869 New York state election was held on November 2, 1869, to elect the Secretary of State, the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the State Engineer, two Judges of the New York Court of Appeals, a Canal Commissioners and an Inspector of State Prisons, as well as all...
, but resigned in July 1870 when he was chosen a judge of the New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
upon its re-organization after the amendment of the State Constitution in 1869. He remained on the bench until his death in office.
Sources
- http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/allen9.html Political Graveyard
- https://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/elecbook/thereshallbe/pg95.htm Court of Appeals history
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9E0CEFDB1E3FE63BBC4C53DFB0668383669FDE Obit in NYT on June 4, 1878
- Google Book The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (pages 255, 351; Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858)
- http://www.nycourts.gov/history/elecbook/chadbourne_coa/pg5.htm Bio at NYCoA history