Gene Notes

Some random and some not-so-random thoughts on family history.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Thriller Thursday - Tragic Death of Frederick Percival Allen

From the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, May 4, 1906:

FREDERICK ALLEN DIES IN MEXICO

Cashier of the German American Bank

With Party of Friends

While Traveling for Pleasure Mr. Allen Suffers Attack of Angina Pectoris and Dies - Born in Rochester in 1853 - His Family


Late yesterday afternoon a telegram from Torreno, a small town in Mexico, brought the shocking news of the sudden death of Frederic Percival Allen, cashier of the German-American Bank and one of the best known men in Rochester. About two weeks ago, Mr. Allen, in the company of a party of friends, including Mr. J. H. Stedman, Mr. Porter Ford and Mr. Charles Palmer, started for Mexico on a pleasure trip, the guests of Mr. Arthur Stillwell of Kansas City. They reached the City of Mexico in safety and were on the return trip when Mr. Allen was prostrated by an attack of angina pectoris and death followed almost immediately.

Mr. Allen was one of the most prominent as well as one of the most popular of Rochester's business men and the announcement of his death will bring unaffected sorrow in scores of friends and acquaintances who had known him since boyhood. He was born in this city in February, 1853, and received his education in the old Satterlee school on North street. His father was Samuel Percival Allen, for many years clerk of the State Senate and afterward collector of internal revenue for this district. It was in the revenue office as cashier that Frederic received his first business experience and at the end of his father's term he accepted a position in the Traders Bank. His sterilized character, energy, and marked ability won quick recognition from the older bankers of the town and when the late Frederic Cook and his associates purchased the Bank of Rochester and re-established the German-American Bank, Mr. Allen was made cashier. That position he had held for the last fifteen years, commanding the respect, confidence and affection of his townsmen to an extraordinary degree. Among his other positions of trust he was a director on the Rochester Trust and Safe Deposit Company and a trustee and elder of St. Peter's Church.

In 1875, Mr. Allen married Caroline Clarke, daughter of the late Hon. Freeman Clarke, and in the social as well as the business life of Rochester he had been an important. He is survived by his wife, two daughters - Mrs Buell Mills and Miss Mary Allen, and by one son, Freeman Clarke Allen.

Mr. Allen's untimely death will mean much to Rochester. He had been so prominently connected with all that makes for a city's growth and development that in many ways his loss will seem irreparable and must be counted a public misfortune. Personally, Mr. Allen was one of the most lovable of men and the friendships attracted by his genial personality were made enduring by qualities of mind and heart which withstood every test. A true man in all that the phrase implies he leaves an honored name and by those who knew him best his death will be the most sincerely mourned and his memory the most tenderly cherished.
While Traveling for Pleasure Mr. Allen Suffers Attack of Angina Pectoris and Dies - Born in Rochester in 1853 - His Family

Late yesterday afternoon a telegram from Torreno, a small town in Mexico, brought the shocking news of the sudden death of Frederic Percival Allen, cashier of the German-American Bank and one of the best known men in Rochester. About two weeks ago, Mr. Allen, in the company of a party of friends, including Mr. J. H. Stedman, Mr. Porter Ford and Mr. Charles Palmer, started for Mexico on a pleasure trip, the guests of Mr. Arthur Stillwell of Kansas City. They reached the City of Mexico in safety and were on the return trip when Mr. Allen was prostrated by an attack of angina pectoris and death followed almost immediately.

Mr. Allen was one of the most prominent as well as one of the most popular of Rochester's business men and the announcement of his death will bring unaffected sorrow in scores of friends and acquaintances who had known him since boyhood. He was born in this city in February, 1853, and received his education in the old Satterlee school on North street. His father was Samuel Percival Allen, for many years clerk of the State Senate and afterward collector of internal revenue for this district. It was in the revenue office as cashier that Frederic received his first business experience and at the end of his father's term he accepted a position in the Traders Bank. His sterilized character, energy, and marked ability won quick recognition from the older bankers of the town and when the late Frederic Cook and his associates purchased the Bank of Rochester and re-established the German-American Bank, Mr. Allen was made cashier. That position he had held for the last fifteen years, commanding the respect, confidence and affection of his townsmen to an extraordinary degree. Among his other positions of trust he was a director on the Rochester Trust and Safe Deposit Company and a trustee and elder of St. Peter's Church.

In 1875, Mr. Allen married Caroline Clarke, daughter of the late Hon. Freeman Clarke, and in the social as well as the business life of Rochester he had been an important. He is survived by his wife, two daughters - Mrs Buell Mills and Miss Mary Allen, and by one son, Freeman Clarke Allen.

Mr. Allen's untimely death will mean much to Rochester. He had been so prominently connected with all that makes for a city's growth and development that in many ways his loss will seem irreparable and must be counted a public misfortune. Personally, Mr. Allen was one of the most lovable of men and the friendships attracted by his genial personality were made enduring by qualities of mind and heart which withstood every test. A true man in all that the phrase implies he leaves an honored name and by those who knew him best his death will be the most sincerely mourned and his memory the most tenderly cherished.

Copyright 2011, ACK for Gene Notes

1 comment:

  1. What a lovely tribute. "Sterilized character" -- what an expression! I'm sure it was a compliment.

    ReplyDelete