Lucas R. Allen

ALLEN, LUCAS R., merchant, food plant manager, and corporate board member; b. 17 July 1878 in St. Nicholas, son of Benjamin C. Allen and Melvina Goodwin, both of New Brunswick; m. 16 June 1903 Winnifred Brace, and they had five children, Irene, Florence, Edith, Mildred, and Margaret; Methodist/United; d. 7 April 1964 in Summerside. Allen, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1927 for 5th Prince. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1931 .ind 1935. He was appointed as a Minister without Portfolio in August 1935. Allen also served on the Summerside Town Council. Allen received his primary education in St. Nicholas until he was 12. Later he attended school in Summerside. His introduction to the workplace began ca. 1893 as a delivery person for Brace, McKay and Company, which was owned by John A. Brace, later Allen's father-in-law. Allen worked there for many years and became manager of the grocery department. In 1901 he made an investment in the company when it became a joint stock company, and a year later was appointed to its board of directors. In 1926 Allen became president of Brace, McKay and Company, a position he held until 1939 when he became vice-president and took on reduced duties. He remained as vice-president until 1958. Allen had business interests beyond Brace, McKay and Company. During the Second World War Allen was secretary-treasurer and plant manager of Island Foods Incorporated, which manufactured dehydrated potatoes for the forces overseas. He served on the board of directors of Pure Canadian Black Fox Company, The Malpeque Oysters Limited, Royal Silver Black Fox Company, Island Terminals Incorporated, and Northumberland Ferries Limited. Allen had a number of other involvements in the community. He served as a president of the Summerside Board of Trade and helped found the Associated Board of Trade of Prince Edward Island. He was active in the International Order of Foresters, Knights of Pythias, Vs Men's Club, the L.O.L., and King Hiram and Mt. Lebanon Lodges of the A.F. and A.M. in Summerside. Allen, a skilled hockey player and rifle shot, was also a member of the Summerside Golf Club, the Summerside Curling Club, and the Summerside Quoit Club. He served as trustee on the board of directors of the Falconwood Hospital, Prince County Hospital, the YMCA, and the People's Cemetery. In 1914 Allen was a member of the board of trustees of Summerside Methodist Church, and he acted as the secretary-treasurer of the Methodist Sunday school in Summerside for 13 years. In 1930 Allen was elected as an elder of Trinity United Church in Summerside. He was awarded the King's Jubilee Medal in 1935. Lucas Allen died 7 April 1964. Winnifred Allen was the daughter of John A. Brace from Summerside and Margaret Howatt from Tryon.