John Allen: Michigan's Pioneer Promoter [Hardcover]

Kit Lane (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1877703176 | ISBN-13: 978-1877703171 | Publication Date: April 1989

John Allen came to Michigan in 1823 and was co-founder of Ann Arbor, later the home of the University of Michigan. He dabbled in many other town plats, always looking for his fortune and had a hand in the political process of early Michigan. In 1850, still struggling with financial problems he left for the gold fields of California.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

John Allen was a debt-ridden Virginia farmer in 1823 when he left Augusta County with a herd of cattle for sale -- and vanished. Several months later, with the proceeds of the cattle sale in his pocket he appeared in Michigan Territory to begin a remarkable 26-year career in land speculation. His first and most successful settlement was Ann Arbor. He later owned thousands of acres in Michigan and was actively involved in the founding of Mason, Middleton, South Haven, Spring Arbor, Lansing, Meridian, and in Allegan County, where his projected town of Richmond was expected to benefit from a proposed trans-Michigan canal. He served two terms in the Michigan Senate, there was even talk of John Allen for governor. But his financial problems worsened. In 1850 he left to make his fortune panning for gold in California. He died in 1851.

About the Author

Kit Lane, a Michigan native, has researched and written Michigan history for more than 30 years. A former newspaper reporter, editor and publisher, Lane lives in Douglas, just a few miles down the Kalamazoo River from the remains of Allen's ill-fated Richmond.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Pavilion Pr (April 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1877703176
• ISBN-13: 978-1877703171
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,218,231 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)