Benjamin Allen

    Benjamin Allen was born Jul 22, 1818 in Selston, Nottinghamshire, England. When he was 12 his family came to America. The ship they were coming over in was wrecked off the coast of Massachusetts near Martha's Vineyard. They came to Utica shortly after. They brought a farm on Deerfield Hill which they farmed for a couple of years before coming back to Utica.

    Benjamin Allen learned the trade of stone cutting. He cut stone on the enlargement of the Erie Canal from Cohoes to Lockport.

    1845 was an important year for Benjamin Allen. He got married to a woman by the name of Ann. He also started a business for contracting for the construction of plank and stone sidewalks. Later he was joined in the business by his sons W. Fred and George. 

    Benjamin Allen was also director of the Second National Bank for 12 years. He was the first Republican nominee for the Assembly from this district (which he lost) and tried again unsuccessfully for the Assembly in 1878. He had a seat on the Board of Police and Fire Commissioners.

    Benjamin Allen founded the Utica Curling Club (which he was its President). He was called "The Father of Curling.". In 1902 the Club presented him with a sterling silver cup trophy to be known as the Benjamin Allen Cup which is to be played for in an annual contest.

    Benjamin Allen passed away at his home 77 Lansing Street on March 28, 1903. He is buried in Plot 35 Lot 2389 of Forest Hill Cemetery.

 



 

    

Location: 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY 13501, USA

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