WILLIAM F. ALLEN.
William F., son of William V. and Laura E. Allen, both now deceased,
was born and educated in Norfolk, Virginia. In that city, December 6,
1854, he married Margaret C., daughter of John T. and Margaret E.
Griffin, formerly of Norfolk, both now deceased. The children of Mr.
and Mrs. Allen were born in the order named. William H., Walter F.,
James E., Joseph B., Leonora V., Cornelia J., Walter F., Claudia M.
The two oldest sons are now deceased.
For five years after leaving school Mr. Allen served as a sail maker;
then went into that business for himself, and followed it until 1856.
From 1856 to 1861 he was in the retail grocery business, and since the
last-named year he has been in his present business, wholesale grocer.
He is now the senior wholesale groceryman in the city of Norfolk, head
of the firm of W. F. Allen & Co.
Mr. Allen has served sixteen years as a member of the city council of
Norfolk; as superintendent of the Democratic executive committee, as
captain of the volunteer fire department. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity and of the I. O. O. F.
