In August 1836, a few months after Texas gained independence, brothers John Kirby and Augustus Chapman Allen purchased land near the Buffalo Bayou River. The city of Houston later appeared there. However, John Kirby became famous not only as a co-founder of the city but also as a skilled politician, legislator and supporter of the Texas Revolution. Read more about his life and professional path on houston-yes.com.
The beginning
John was born in 1810 in Sullivan, New York, to Roland and Sarah (Chapman) Allen. At the age of 10, the boy began to work in a store and after 6 years he launched a partnership with a friend who owned a hat shop in the village of Chittenango (New York). His brother worked there teaching mathematics.
John sold his share in 1827. Then, the brothers became investors in the H. and H. Canfield Company in New York.
Participation in the Texas Revolution
They moved to Texas in 1832. Here they settled in the city of Nacogdoches and took part in land speculation. They participated in various projects, in particular, in the purchase and sale of certificates for land. The Texas Revolution took place from October 1835 to April 1836. The result of the war was the separation of Texas from Mexico and the formation of the Republic of Texas. The Allens did not take up arms but built the ship Brutus for 40 people. The latter helped the US military protect the coast and allowed for safe landings in Texas.
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At the same time, the Allens worked on the Texas land loan committees. The brothers distributed a lot of materials and funds for the residents of the future state. Despite these merits, there was a lot of gossip about them because they did not serve in the army. In addition, the Allens were called corsairs who, with the permission of the state authorities, used an armed ship to capture those of the enemy or even neutral states. The Allens sold a custom-built ship to the Texas Navy in January 1836.
Political career
In August 1836, the Allens purchased over 6,600 acres around Buffalo Bay for $5,000. In a month, John was appointed to represent Nacogdoches County in the Congress of the Republic of Texas. He officially took up duties in the presidential office with the rank of major on October 3. During this political career, brothers founded Houston after realizing that the Buffalo Bayou River was navigable.
They also influenced the election of Houston as the capital of the Republic of Texas, although this status did not last long. In October 1836, John promised the state House of Representatives that he and his brother would build the capital for $10,000 as a donation to the government. In 1837, the seat of government was moved from Columbia to Houston. This gave the fledgling city a big push necessary in the early years of its development.
During his political career, John also continued to run a shipping business with Texas Governor James Pinckney Henderson.
The politician died in August 1838 at the age of 28 because of congestive fever (probably yellow fever or malaria). The following year, 12% of the city’s entire population died in the first of 10 fever epidemics that lasted for three decades. Due to the epidemic, the state capital was moved to Austin. John was buried at Founders Memorial Cemetery in Houston.
Since he had no wife and left no will, his estate was handed over to his parents. Houston’s Allen Parkway, the Allen Center and Allen’s Landing Park are named in honor of John and his family.