Henry Archer Allen Jr.

Narrative:

     Henry Archer Allen Jr. was born on 17 Jun 1861 in Prince Edward Co., Virginia.^5,6,7
     He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Buffalo Twp., Prince Edward Co., Virginia, in the household of his parents, Henry Archer Allen and Elizabeth Woodson Almand.¹²
     He appears to have been the Henry A. Allen listed in the 1880 Federal Census of Speedwell, Wythe Co., Virginia, enumerated 22 Jun 1880, living by himself, listed as a clerk in a store. How he could have found himself in the far western area of the state at age 18 is unclear, but he is not listed with his parents, and the involvement in retail is consistent with his later career.¹³

Entering the Tobacco Business --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Henry joined his older brother Edward's tobacco manufacturing business in Lynchburg by 1885, when he was a bookkeeper there. By 1887 the firm had been re-named E. A. Allen & Brother, with Henry a junior partner it appears.^14,15
     Henry married Virginia Andrew Britton, daughter of Andrew Jackson Britton and Elizabeth Jane Buster, on 5 Nov 1890 in Lynchburg, Virginia.^8,9
     Edward died in 1897. Henry incorporated the business as Allen Brothers Tobacco Company 12 Oct 1897, with himself as president and his older brother William as vice-president. Their father was manager of the business until his death in 1900.^16,17,18
     Henry and Virginia appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Lynchburg, Lynchburg City Co., Virginia, at 914 Filmore St., enumerated 7 Jun 1900, reporting they rented their home. Their children Frances, Virginia and Evelyn were listed as living with them.¹⁹

Moving to the Laundry Business --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     By 1907 Henry had abandoned the tobacco business and had become vice-president of the Virginia Laundry Co. By 1913 he was also vice-president of Crutchfield Dry Cleaning and Dye Works. He continued to hold both positions for many years.^{20,21,22,23,24}
     Henry and Virginia appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Lynchburg, Lynchburg Co., Virginia, at 1022 Harrison St., enumerated 20 Apr 1910, reporting they rented their home. Their children Frances, Virginia and Evelyn were listed as living with them.²⁵
     In addition to his business interests, Henry was also involved in community affairs. He was vice-president of the Lynchburg Associated Charities, and president of the Presbyterian Cemetery for a time.²²
     His wife died on 24 Nov 1914 in Richmond, Virginia.^26,27
     Henry appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Lynchburg, Lynchburg Co., Virginia, at 1012 Federal St., enumerated 7 Jan 1920, reporting he owned his home, which was mortgaged. His children Frances, Virginia and Evelyn were listed as living with him, as was Elizabeth Dean, age 19, a cook.²⁸
     About 1921 he become president of Crutchfield Dry Cleaning. It seems he thought of the laundry business as his principal occupation, as he reported his occupation in the 1930 census as vice-president, in the laundry industry. He became president of Virginia Laundry Co. about 1934. He continued to hold both titles the rest of his life, reporting in 1940 he had worked 36 hours the last week of March, and 52 weeks the prior year, earning $5,000.^29,30,31,24
     Henry appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Lynchburg, Virginia, at 1012 Federal St., enumerated 9 Apr 1930, reporting they owned a home valued at $12,000, and owned a radio. His children Frances and Evelyn were listed as living with him.³²
     Henry appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Lynchburg, Lynchburg City Co., Virginia, at 1012 Federal St., enumerated 12 Apr 1940, reporting he owned a home valued at $7,000, and that they had lived in the same city in 1935. His daughter Evelyn was listed as living with him.³³
     Henry died on 5 Aug 1947 in 1012 Federal St., Lynchburg, Virginia, at age 86, at his home.^3,10 He was buried in Presbyterian Cemetery, Lynchburg, Lynchburg City Co., Virginia.¹¹