The Biographical Dictionary of America/Allen, James Cameron

ALLEN, James Cameron, representative, was born in Shelby county, Ky., Jan. 29, 1822; son of Benjamin and Margaret (Youell) Allen; grandson of John and Margaret (Youell) Allen, and a descendant of William Youell of Augusta county, Va., a Revolutionary soldier in the war for independence. His father was of Irish and his mother of Scotch origin. He was educated in the common schools, studied law, and was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1843. He was prosecuting attorney of the 7th judicial district of Indiana, 1846-'48; removed to Palestine, Ill., in 1848; was a representative in the state legislature, 1850 and 1851, and served as representative in the 33d and 34th congresses, 1853-'57, his seat in the 34th congress being unsuccessfully contested. He was clerk of the house for the 35th congress and again a representative from Illinois in the 38th congress, 1863-'65, having been elected from the state at large. He served as judge of the circuit and appellate court, 1873-79.