Henry C. Allen
Allen (c. 1875)
32nd Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office 1877–1879
Preceded by	J. Marshall Hanger
Succeeded by	Benjamin W. Lacy
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Shenandoah County
In office December 1, 1875 – December 2, 1879 Serving with Joseph B. Strayer, David S. Henkel
Preceded by	Harrison Riddleberger
Succeeded by	Joseph B. Strayer
Personal details
Born	March 19, 1838 Beaver Dam, Botetourt County, Virginia, U.S.
Died	October 31, 1889(1889-10-31) (aged 51)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Julia McKay Gatewood ​ ​ (m. 1867)​
Parent(s)	John J. Allen Mary Payne Allen
Relatives	Robert Allen
Alma mater	University of Virginia
Profession	farmer, lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Branch/service	infantry
Years of service	1861-1862
Battles/wars	Battle of Gettysburg

Henry Clay Allen (March 19, 1838 – October 31, 1889) was a Virginia lawyer and politician. He represented Shenandoah County in the Virginia House of Delegates, and served as that body's Speaker from 1877 until 1879.

Early and family life

Henry C. Allen was a middle son born at Beaver Dam, Botetourt County, Virginia, to lawyer and former Congressman, then Judge John J. Allen. His uncle Robert Allen also was a Congressmen.

On January 24, 1867, he married Julia McKay Gatewood.

Career

During the American Civil War, he, his brothers and cousins all enlisted in the Confederate States Army.

After the war, Allen returned to the Shenandoah Valley, where his grandfather had practiced law as well as served as a judge.

Voters elected him to represent Shenandoah County in the Virginia House of Delegates. When Democrat Grover Cleveland became President, Allen was the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia from 1885 until 1889.