Thomas Allen

Democrat Representative of Missouri's 2nd district

  • Representative

    Missouri, district 2

    December 5, 1881 - March 3, 1883

1

Congresses Served

1

House Terms

January 1, 1813 (69 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1882

Death

  • American politician and railroad builder.
  • Born in Massachusetts and educated at Union College, graduating with honors.
  • Worked as a printer for both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.
  • Moved to Missouri, where he developed residential property for working-class immigrants.
  • Served in the Missouri State Senate from 1850 to 1854.
  • Elected president of the Pacific Railroad in 1850, facilitating its early development.
  • Took the first steam locomotive across the Mississippi River in 1852.
  • Involved in banking and land development after resigning from the railroad.
  • Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1881 but died before completing his term.
  • Contributed to education by founding a professorship at Washington University in St. Louis.
  • Donated the Berkshire Athenaeum to his hometown in Massachusetts.
  • Allenville, Missouri is named in his honor.