Looking for the family of F.S. Allen

Well, it seems some folks have found my little blog here. It also seems I am not the only one tracking the career of Mr. F.S. Allen, aka Frank S. Allen or Frank Shaver Allen architect and engineer, latter day music store owner and investor.

I have been contacted by another researcher, though he is more concerned with Mr. Allen's later investments.

I remember the day I met Nancy Allen Wolfe, the daughter of the late architect. She said I looked as though I'd seen a ghost. I was in my late teens or early 20's and had spent my entire life tagging along after my parents as they searched for clues to the life and career of this man. We drove to Streator, Illinois and listened to stories told by an aging librarian who had the Allen home in Streator carved into a stamp for his stationary and was known as the keeper of The Castle. We drove to Galesburg or Knox, where we drove down the street counting addresses looking for a house, only to find where the sought address should be, there were train tracks...


I learned a lot during these trips; For a college town, Galesburg had very few fast food outlets in the 80's. People usually look a little sideways at folks from out of town taking random pictures of interesting looking houses. Abstract titles can make fascinatig reading, if you can get past the flowery script of the 19th century.

However, I was usually just along for the ride. To some, I seem to have some knowledge of a lot of odd facts. Compared to my late brother, I know nothing. He had a mind for odd facts and a way of making connections and putting things together. In the days after his death, I was contacted by a descendant of Mr. Allen who called Seth's house. We had a nice conversation about Victorian homes, the movie industry and the quest for whatever happened to Mr. A.

Sadly, like so many of those conversations in the spring of 2007, details are sparse and clouded. I had a phone number, or maybe not. So my request here, if you are or if you know a relative of the man described as a "giant man with boundless energy" I'm looking for you and so are others. Please contact this blogger. Confidentiality is assured if you seek it. I may be able to get you some information for your search as well.

Thanks,
Cean

Shocking News

For those in the Joliet area, I have found a bit of news that in today's world may not be quite so shocking, but in historical context changed the life and ended the illustrious career of one of our notable locals.

I tripped over a real estate listing for a home in Altadena, California designed by our friend and local architectural legend F.S. Allen, architect of Joliet Township High School (central), Christ Church and many residences in the 1800's. I grew up in Mr. Allen's home in Joliet and have visited his home in Streator. We knew he left Joliet in 1904 and moved to Pasadena and died in 1930 but his career rather abruptly ends arond 1910. There were stories he retired to run a music store, but the lingering question was why.

Well, I gained a lot of insight into his work there, including tying him to famous design team Greene and Greene. I also found out why his career came to a rather abrupt halt. A piece of research commissioned by the listing agent from Building Biographers turned up a rather uncomfortable scandal involving a young boy who had gone missing for some time. There was a charge of moral corruption but no legal charges ever held. Nonetheless, Mr. Allen's career and marriage did not survive. By 1920 he would be listed as a salesman for sound machines, then listed as divorced.

His grand estate would be developed, though the home survives, albeit heavily modified.

C

happy birthday

Seth's birthday was Friday the 30th of October. He was a fan of Halloween, as he was all holidays or any chance to decorate. The message at church was extremely timely and poignant. Many of the sermons are posted at the website. Check out www.shepherdofthehill.com and go to weekly sermons. The church is also on Facebook (imagine that). I may have to suck it up and go there myself.

Edits are coming along and my cohort, Heather, is chomping at the bit to start photo op's.

Happy November to all and check back soon....