Worked Way to Top From Humble Start—Wide Political Experience, Too
The next Governor of Massachusetts, Frank G. Allen of Norwood, will need no lessons in thrift from his distinguished predecessor in office, Calvin Coolidge.
When he was born, his father placed $10 to the son’s account in a Salem bank. That first $10 is still on deposit, and has earned nearly 10 times’ its original value.
Mr Allen, as a boy, walked 2% miles to school to save the carfare allowed him by his father.
With this as a background, it is not strange that Frank G. Allen Should have a particular interest in the executive budget and the “pay-as-you-go” policy for the State.
Mr Allen’s early training in thrift seems best emphasized by his own statement in afterlife: “I am a plain business man who has wandered into politics, and I am trying to use business methods in carry on the State’s affairs.”
Gov-Elect Allen was born on Batchelder st, near Sluice Pond, in that section of Lynn known as Wyoma. His parents, Mr and Mrs Frank M. Allen, have lived on this street practically all their lives.
Attended One-Room School
He is one of three children, his sister Grace being slightly older and his brother, Harry, a little younger. He attended the little one-room schoolhouse on Lynnfield St, where his parents and grandparents received their early schooling.
Frank went to the Sunday School in the Baptist Church on Broadway, now the Broadway Methodist Church. For a time he served as Sunday School librarian, and one of his companions in that school was Judge Henry T. Lummus of the Superior Court. Mr Allen’s father was associated in the leather business with William Lummus, father of the judge.
Although 76, Mr Allen’s father is still conducting a tannery in Lynn. Marked up in pencil on the wooden wall of this building are some figures, still faintly legible, which attest the fact that the Governor-elect of this State holds the highest record ever made there for the taking of skins off the boards on which they were mounted for drying. The record was made during after-school hours and Saturdays.
One of Mr Allen’s grammar school teachers, Miss Mary Emery, signed his nomination papers for Governor. She attests to his scholarship in the grammar grades.
Fond of Athletics
Mr Allen attended the Lynn Classical High School and was graduated therefrom in 1892. He served as a first lieutenant of the school battalion, was president of a debating club and active in athletics, being especially fond of baseball, swimming, and boxing.
His Interest in baseball resulted in his becoming a member of the “Knot-Hole Gang” and learning by instinct every knothole in the fence within which the Lynn team of the old New England League played.
Following his graduation from High School, Mr Allen passed the Harvard College entrance examinations with honor but later decided not to enter college. He obtained a position in a bank, but his banking career ended in two weeks, when the smell of leather in his nostrils Impelled him to take up the business of his father.
He became associated with his father for a short time, and later went to work in Boston for Black & Newhall, for a $ 2-a-week wage. Later he moved to Norwood and entered the employ of Lyman Smith’s Sons Company, afterward absorbed by Winslow Brothers & Smith Co.
Worked Way to Top
Step by step Mr. Allen worked his way up through the various departments. He was popular with his fellow workers, shared their viewpoints, and understood them.
Today he is the president and active directing head of Winslow Brothers & Smith Company. He is also a director in numerous corporations and financial institutions in Boston.
Mr Allen came by his interest In politics naturally. His father served for 10 years in the Lynn City Council. The family kept a horse, which Frank’s father and Frank himself rode in political parades.
In 1909 Mr Allen became a member of the Board of Assessors of Norwood and from 1911 to 1915 served as chairman. He then became chairman of the Board of Selectmen, which office he held several years.
He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1918 and to the Senate in 1920, from the Norfolk District. In 1921 he became president of the Senate by unanimous vote.
Mr Allen was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1924 by 234,475 votes. He was reelected in 1926, an off-election year, by a margin of 167,048.
Made Study of Taxation
While a member of the House and Senate, Mr Allen made a study of taxation and served as chairman of the taxtion committee of both branches. He also made a special study of the finances of the State and rendered valuable aid to Govs Coolidge and Cox. In 1919 he served on the special commission on street railways, known as the “Coolidge Street Railway Commission.”
As Lieutenant Governor he has made a special study of the various in-State institutions and their needs. He carried his private business methods along with him into public life.
(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)