| |
ISHAM FRANK ALLEN.
Among those who occupy positions of prominence in the
financial circles of Akron there is none whose life record
illustrates more clearly the value of earnest and honest
effort than does that of Isham F. Allen, the
president of the Standard Savings Bank, president of the
Standard Mortgage Company and treasurer of the Exchange
Realty Company. Power grows through the exercise of
effort, and it has been by reason of ceaseless activity,
intelligently directed, that Mr. Allen has risen to
executive position in connection with three of the foremost
financial interests of this city. He is a native son
of Akron, born Jan. 2, 1868. His father, John Allen,
was also a native of Ohio and he wedded Ann Morgan,
whose birth occurred in Cuyahoga county, Ohio. He
devoted his entire life to the occupation of farming and
both he and his wife have now passed away. They were
parents of four children, of whom the eldest, Mrs. Emma
A. Sissler, is deceased. Three of the family
survive - Jessie, John and Isham F.
At the usual age Isham F. Allen entered the
public school of Akron and on leaving the high school after
mastering all the intermediate grades he secured work with
the Worthington Company of Cleveland, Ohio, being seventeen
years of age when he thus entered into active connection
with the wholesale hardware trade. He remained a
capable and trusted employe there for six years and then
returned to his native city, where he became a partner in
the firm of Rohrbacher & Allen in the retail
hardware business, carrying on his interests under that name
for a number of years. Eventually he sold out and
turned his attention to the real estate field in connection
with J. C. Dye under the firm style of Dye &
Allen. He still remains a partner and the firm
has long enjoyed an extensive patronage, making their
business one of the profitable realty interests of Akron.
As the years passed and Mr. Allen studied the
business situation in Akron, he felt that there was
opportunity for the conduct of a banking enterprise and in
1921 organized the Standard Savings Bank, of which he became
president in 1924. This institution also entered upon
a prosperous existence because its foundation was laid in
principles that have carefully safeguarded the interests of
depositors and at the same time have led to the steady
progress in the growth of the business. He is likewise
the president of the Standard Mortgage Company and thus
through his connection with three large corporations he is
controlling important interests which feature in the
business development and material growth of the city.
Aside from his association with the Dye & Allen
Land & Improvement Company he is the president of the Allen
Land Company and a director of the Akron General Insurance
Company and his enterprising spirit has been a contributing
feature to the success of all of these interests.
On the 30th of June, 1891, Mr. Allen was united
in marriage to Miss Eva Geddes, a daughter of
James D. and Marietta E. Geddes. They have one
child, Clifford G., who was born in 1897 and was
graduated from the Akron high school and also from the Case
School of Applied Science in Cleveland. He is now
general manager of the Palmer Match Company. He
married Miss Grace Beatrice York of Massillon, Ohio.
Mr. Allen and his wife are members of the High
Street Christ church, and fraternally he is connected with
the Masons and the Odd Fellows, in which associations are
found the rules that govern his conduct and the principles
which guide him in all the relations of life. His
social nature is expressed in his connection with the Akron
City Club, of which he is a charter member, the Fairlawn
Country Club and the Akron Automobile Club, and his interest
in public affairs is manifest in his connection with the
Chamber of Commerce. He has labored just as earnestly
and effectively for public welfare and advancement as he has
for the development of his individual interests, and his
business activities have ever been of a character which have
contributed to general progress as well as to personal
success. His life record is a splendid illustration of
the value of industry and integrity as dominant factors in
the business world. He has resided at No. 45 Oakdale
avenue for thirty years.
Source: Akron and Summit County, Ohio 1825-1928 -
Vol. II - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago & Akron. The S.
J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1928 - Page 408 |
Source:
