Bio: Allen, James E. (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Allen, Davenport, Johnson, Cernagham, Moore

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) pages 636-637

James E. Allen, of the firm of The Allen-Johnson Company, dealers in general musical merchandise, is the son of Edward W. and Mary F. (Davenport) Allen. His father and also his grandfather, James Allen (sketches of whom appear elsewhere in this work), were both prominently identified with the business and industrial interests of Eau Claire.

James E. Allen was born in Eau Claire, March 6, 1881. He grew to manhood in the city, receiving his education in the public schools, and began his business career as clerk and bookkeeper in his father's music store, and in 1906, having mastered all the details of the business, he, associated with Mr. H. E. Johnson, purchased his father's interest, and since that time the business which was established by his father in 1877 has been conducted under the firm name of The Allen-Johnson Company and is the leading establishment of its kind in Eau Claire. They deal in all kinds of musical instruments, including pianos, organs, phonographs, stringed instruments, etc.

Mr. Allen was married August 17, 1907, to Miss Maude Elizabeth Cernagham, daughter of James A. and Elizabeth (Moore) Cernagham, of the town of Union, Eau Claire county. Mrs. Allen died April 14, 1913, leaving besides her husband two children named Mary Elizabeth and Grace Allen.

In religious belief Mr. Allen is a Congregationalist and fraternally he is a member of the Elks Lodge.