William F. Allen (Delaware politician)

William F. Allen
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's At-large district
In office January 3, 1937 – January 3, 1939
Preceded by	J. George Stewart
Succeeded by	George S. Williams
Member of the Delaware Senate
In office 1925-1929
Personal details
Born	(1883-01-19)January 19, 1883 Bridgeville, Delaware
Died	June 14, 1946(1946-06-14) (aged 63) Lewes, Delaware
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Addie M. Davis
Occupation	businessman

William Franklin "Lovebird" Allen (January 19, 1883 – June 14, 1946) was an American businessman and politician. He was a Democratic member of the Delaware General Assembly and the United States House of Representatives.

Early life and family

Allen was born in Bridgeville, Delaware, son of William Franklin (Frank) Allen and Mollie (Smith) Allen. He moved to Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware with his family in 1889, and then to Laurel, Delaware in 1903. He married Addie M. Davis on April 16, 1905 and they had three children, Robert, Franklin, and Doris. They belonged to the Methodist Church.

After completing school in 1902, Allen worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as an agent, telegrapher, and train dispatcher. In 1922, he returned to Seaford, Delaware, began a real estate business, and also formed a business buying and selling fruit and produce along the Delmarva Peninsula. In 1927, Allen diversified his businesses, and founded the Allen Petroleum Corporation and the Allen Package Company.

Political career

Allen was a public school commissioner in Seaford from 1920 until 1924, and was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1920.

Allen was elected to the State Senate in 1924. He served in the Senate from 1925 to 1929, serving as President pro tempore in 1927

A strong supporter of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, Allen was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1936, defeating incumbent Republican U.S. Representative J. George Stewart. Allen lost his bid for a second term in 1938 to Republican George S. Williams, a businessman from Millsboro, Delaware. During his term, Allen was a member of the Democratic majority in the 75th Congress and served from January 3, 1937 until January 3, 1939, during the second administration of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Subsequently, he resumed his work in the oil and gasoline distribution business. In 1940, he challenged both major parties and ran for the U.S. Senate as an Independent "Liberal Democrat," but received only a small number of votes.

Death

Allen died at Lewes and is interred at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Seaford, Delaware.

Electoral history

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. Members of the Delaware General Assembly take office the second Tuesday of January. The State Senate has a four-year term. U.S. Representatives take office January 3 and have a two-year term.

Public Offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	notes
State Senator	Legislature	Dover	January 13, 1925	January 8, 1929
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	January 3, 1937	January 3, 1939

United States Congressional service
Dates	Congress	Chamber	Majority	President	Committees	Class/District
1937–1939	75th	U.S. House	Democratic	Franklin D. Roosevelt		at-large

Election results
Year	Office		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
1936	U.S. Representative		William F. Allen	Democratic	65,485	52%		J. George Stewart	Republican	55,664	44%
1938	U.S. Representative		William F. Allen	Democratic	46,989	43%		George S. Williams	Republican	60,661	56%

Further reading

• Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Delaware's Members of Congress
• William F. Allen at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard
• William F. Allen Scrapbooks, 1830-1946

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965