Edwin Bird Allen

Edwin Bird Allen (March 7, 1836 - March 31, 1908) was an American politician who served as the Secretary of State of Kansas (1885–1889), as a representative in the Kansas House of Representatives (1883–1884 and 1872–1876), and as the first mayor of Wichita (1871–1872).

Edwin Bird Allen
Kansas Secretary of State
In office January 12, 1885 – January 14, 1889
Preceded by	James Smith
Succeeded by	William Higgins
Kansas House of Representatives
In office 1883–1884
Kansas House of Representatives
In office 1872–1876
Mayor of Wichita, Kansas
In office 1871–1872
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	James G. Hope
Personal details
Born	(1836-03-07)March 7, 1836 Lorain County, Ohio
Died	March 31, 1908(1908-03-31) (aged 72) Buchanan County, Missouri
Political party	Republican

Biography

Allen was born on March 7, 1836, in Lorain County, Ohio.^[1] He moved to Kansas in 1865.^[1] He trained as a physician and served a coroner from 1870 to 1871.^[2] He was one of 124 signers of the petition to incorporate Wichita.^[2] He served as the first Mayor of Wichita (1871–1872) and twice in the Kansas House of Representatives (1872–1876 and 1883–1884).^[1][2] He served as the Secretary of State of Kansas (1885–1889).^[2]

Personal life

Allen died on March 31, 1908, in Buchanan County, Missouri.^[1] On May 25, 1857, he married Eliza Sewell; he later married Mary J. Garrison.^[1] He was the elder brother of Wichita mayor Joseph P. Allen who served as mayor from 1887 to 1888.^[2]