Willis Allen

Democrat Representative of Illinois's 9th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

December 15, 1806 (52 years old)

Birthday

April 15, 1859

Death

American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Illinois.
Born near Roanoke, Virginia, and educated in common schools.
Worked as a teacher before moving to Tennessee and then to Illinois.
Engaged in agriculture and studied law, eventually becoming a practicing attorney in Marion, Illinois.
Held various local government positions, including sheriff of Franklin County and prosecuting attorney for the 1st judicial circuit.
Served in the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate.
Participated in the state constitutional convention in 1847 and 1848.
Elected to two consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing two different congressional districts.
Did not seek reelection after his second term and returned to legal practice.
Elected as a judge of the twenty-sixth circuit court of Illinois shortly before his death.
His residence in Marion is recognized as a historic site and was added to the National Register of Historic Places.