Draft:William H. H. Allen

William Henry Harrison Allen (December 10, 1829 – April 26, 1893) was a justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court from 1876 to 1893.

Graduated from Dartmouth College in 1855.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON ALLEN. J. 1876–1893.

Son of Rev. Joseph and Lyna (Abbott) Allen ; born, Winhall, Vermont, December 10, 1829 ; Dartmouth College, 1855 ; admitted, 1858 ; practiced, Newport ; died, New York city, April 26, 1893.

Mr. Allen in his youth made himself familiar with the labors of the farm, and afterwards with the duties of a master of “winter schools." In college he is reputed to have been the second in rank of a class which contained several scholars of mark. After three years spent in teaching and in diligent study of the law under the direction of Messrs. Wheeler and Faulkner of Keene and Messrs. Burke and Wait of Newport, he was qualified to open his own office in the latter town in 1858. He was soon after appointed clerk of the courts in Sullivan County, and served acceptably until 1863, when he was made a paymaster in the army of the United States. In this capacity he was stationed for upwards of a year in Washington, District of Columbia, and afterwards and until his discharge, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In December, 1865, he settled his accounts, and returned to his law practice in Newport. He was soon again called upon to serve the public by his appointment as Judge of Probate for his county in January, 1867. In the seven years and a half that he filled that post he was so successful that not one of his decisions was set aside by the Supreme Court.

In 1867 he was also made a United States register in bankruptcy, and he continued to exercise the duties of that office, also, until 1876, when upon the general request of the bar of Sullivan, he was raised to the bench of the Supreme Court of the State. His appointment was highly satisfactory. He was endowed with many engaging qualities. He was genial and obliging, and commanded the good-will and confidence of all. Of scholarly tastes and habits, he excelled particularly in mathematical science. His knowledge of the law was ample and exact, and among his printed opinions are to be found some that are models of legal discussion and statement. In the determination of questions of law he was especially useful to the Court.

In his practice at the bar he had had little experience in the trial of causes before the jury, and for that reason, perhaps, did not fully realize and make allowance for the difficulties that beset counsel, and impede progress at nisi prius. Active and ready himself, he was inclined to remonstrate against delays, and even sometimes to almost take the functions of the lawyer into his own hands; a proceeding which usually tends very little to promote real satisfactory progress. Trifling as were these blemishes upon a spotless judicial character, it is probable that they were the first visible effects of the disease which at length obliged him to resign his commission.

He fully comprehended the obligations of his station, and was always ready to meet them. The good fame of the profession to which he belonged was dear to him, and he would not see it sullied by the misconduct of any of its members. The zeal with which he pursued certain alleged violations of the attorney's oath, in one instance, was most commendable as well as salutary in its effects.

After remaining upon the bench more than seventeen years, the failing state of his health admonished him that he must refrain from further severe application. He sought a warmer clime; and it was on his return from Cuba, where he had spent the winter, that he suffered a relapse, which terminated his life.

From the year 1868 his home was in Claremont, where he was highly esteemed. Chosen often to town offices, he cheerfully accepted them. His legal knowledge, his practical good sense, and his superior business capacity he willingly put at the service of his townsmen on all occasions.

He was first married in 1856, to Ellen E., daughter of John Joslin of Surry. She died in 1873. In October, 1874, he was again married, to Sally S., daughter of Dr. John Sabine of Strafford, Vermont. He left seven children by his first marriage.

References

Category:1829 births Category:1893 deaths Category:Justices of the New Hampshire Supreme Court

This open draft remains in progress as of July 5, 2023.