Image of Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth, the frontspiece page from "Battles and Victories of Allen Allensworth, A. M., Ph. D., Lieutenant-Colonel, Retired, U. S. Army." - published in 1914. (public domain image) By Oliver Beckwith
MHM Board Member
"I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed." ~ Booker T. Washington
Few people realize that one of the most remarkable figures in American history once lived, preached, and ultimately spent his final days in Monrovia. His extraordinary journey from slavery to becoming the highest-ranking African American officer in the U.S. Army is a story well worth remembering.
When I give presentations about Monrovia’s history to different groups, I often mention that our city’s founder, William Monroe, had a number of occupations in his life. From farmer to Army Major to hotel manager to railroad superintendent, a Civil War veteran who eventually gets a city named after him. Conversely, Lt. Col. Allensworth's resume, comparable in many ways to Monroe, has one major difference: Allensworth started life as a slave.
MHM Board Member
"I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed." ~ Booker T. Washington
Few people realize that one of the most remarkable figures in American history once lived, preached, and ultimately spent his final days in Monrovia. His extraordinary journey from slavery to becoming the highest-ranking African American officer in the U.S. Army is a story well worth remembering.
When I give presentations about Monrovia’s history to different groups, I often mention that our city’s founder, William Monroe, had a number of occupations in his life. From farmer to Army Major to hotel manager to railroad superintendent, a Civil War veteran who eventually gets a city named after him. Conversely, Lt. Col. Allensworth's resume, comparable in many ways to Monroe, has one major difference: Allensworth started life as a slave.
Monument dedicated by The City of Monrovia's Neighborhood Treasure Program, Allen Allensworth (1842-1914) - click photo to link to the city's website Walk in front of the Second Baptist Church on Shamrock Avenue in Monrovia and you will find a Neighborhood Treasure Monument dedicated to the Church’s first pastor, Allen Allensworth (1842-1914). His resume is comparable in many ways to Monroe with a major difference: Allensworth started life as a slave. The photo here shows the City of Monrovia's tribute - Neighborhood Treasure monument dedicated to the church's first pastor.
Allen Allensworth was born into a world of enslavement. In spite of the conditions of his birth, he became an escaped slave, a nurse, a gunboat seaman, restaurateur, teacher, missionary, minister, church builder, lecturer, Republican National Convention Delegate, and the 24th Infantry Buffalo Soldiers Chaplain. He retired in 1906 as a Lieutenant Colonel, the highest ranking African American officer in the Army at the time. He was both a Civil War and a Spanish American War Veteran, and like Monroe, he had a town named after him.
Allen Allensworth was born into a world of enslavement. In spite of the conditions of his birth, he became an escaped slave, a nurse, a gunboat seaman, restaurateur, teacher, missionary, minister, church builder, lecturer, Republican National Convention Delegate, and the 24th Infantry Buffalo Soldiers Chaplain. He retired in 1906 as a Lieutenant Colonel, the highest ranking African American officer in the Army at the time. He was both a Civil War and a Spanish American War Veteran, and like Monroe, he had a town named after him.
Lt Col Allen Allensworth is buried at the Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery, 1836 West Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, California. He was laid to rest with full military honors in Section N, lot 247 of the cemetery. With so much accomplished in a single lifetime it would be impossible to do his story full justice, so I am going to outline some of the many highlights of his life. Perhaps you are familiar with the story, but the passage of time indicates that some readers will be learning about this for the first time. Many of my sources will be found below if you would like to extend your reading, or for viewing locally produced YouTube videos about Lieutenant Colonel Allensworth.
Allen Allensworth was born a slave in Louisville, Kentucky. In his early years he was a playmate of Thomas Starbird, his master’s son Allen’s mother Phyllis encouraged him to find a way to read and write by learning about what Thomas was doing in school. Learning reading and writing was illegal for slaves at that time. He must have had some level of success in this because, at age 12, he was sold off the farm for trying to learn to read. At age 13 he tried to escape after a beating by his new owner, but he was recaptured. Eventually he was sold to a slave owner in New Orleans and was trained as a race jockey.
The Civil War gave Allensworth the cover he needed to escape, this time into the hands of Union forces. He first became a nurse for the 44th Illinois Infantry, but later he signed on as a sailor, and he spent the rest of the war on gunboat duty. Sailors in these ships were certainly in harm’s way.
When the war ended Allensworth and his brother opened two successful restaurants in St. Louis. After a time they sold their businesses, and Allen went back to Louisville. There he completed his training in reading and became a teacher for the Freedman’s Bureau. Before long he was put in charge of some Freedman’s Bureau schools in Kentucky.
Deeply interested in spiritual growth, Allen Allensworth was ordained in 1871. His first congregation in Franklin, Kentucky numbered 13 souls. Soon there were 150 members and the congregation was self-sufficient, so Allensworth left to continue his studies at the Baptist Institute. Before long he became the secretary for the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky. After that he grew a number of Baptist congregations, and married Josephine Leavell, a talented musician who complemented his efforts.
Allen Allenworth became a known lecturer who was in high demand. His most well known lecture was on “The Five Manly Virtues.” These were Industry, Fidelity, Gentleness, Fortitude, and Prudence. In this time period he also served as a Republican Delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1880 and 1884. The connections made there helped him with the next chapter of his life.
In 1882 a Buffalo Soldier from the U.S. Army’s 24th infantry spoke to Allensworth about the desire for the soldiers in the unit to have a Black Chaplain. With Allen’s established political connections, he was able to obtain a commission as the 24th’s Chaplain with the rank of Captain. In his career he served the spiritual needs of the Buffalo Soldiers in a number of forts throughout the West. And he spent three years stationed in the Philippines during the Spanish American War. According to Monrovia historian Steve Baker, “His entire career was marked by enthusiasm, efficiency, devotion to duty, and a deep concern for the men entrusted to his care.”
In 1906 Allen Allensworth retired, and because of his service in the Civil War, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was one of the highest ranking African American officers in the United States Army’s history. Soon afterward he was in Monrovia and established the Second Baptist Church. Then he worked with some community leaders in Pasadena to found a self-sufficient community in the San Joaquin Valley. The end result was a town, and soon it was named Allensworth.
Initially the town prospered. There was water from wells and a Santa Fe Railroad station for the town. On Sunday, September 13, 1914, Allen Allensworth arrived at the Santa Fe Station in Monrovia. As he crossed the street on Myrtle Avenue, he was struck by a motorcycle with a sidecar. The next day he passed away, ending a storied life. Services were held a few days later at Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Over time the community of Allensworth faltered. The water company failed to add needed well water, and then the Santa Fe Railroad pulled its station and bypassed the town. The population decreased over time. In 1966 the place was scheduled for demolition when arsenic was found in the water supply. But there was an interest in saving the remaining buildings By 1976 the Colonel Allensworth State Park was established. You can visit the park today, it’s just over 160 miles from Monrovia.
The Second Baptist Church in Monrovia thrives today as a legacy of Allen Allensworth. In 2017 the City of Monrovia dedicated a Neighborhood Treasure Monument to Allensworth. The image of Allensworth on the monument was created by church member Ron Husband, a prolific animator for the Walt Disney Animation Studios. When you get a chance, stop by at the church and take a look.
References and Links:
Allen Allensworth was born a slave in Louisville, Kentucky. In his early years he was a playmate of Thomas Starbird, his master’s son Allen’s mother Phyllis encouraged him to find a way to read and write by learning about what Thomas was doing in school. Learning reading and writing was illegal for slaves at that time. He must have had some level of success in this because, at age 12, he was sold off the farm for trying to learn to read. At age 13 he tried to escape after a beating by his new owner, but he was recaptured. Eventually he was sold to a slave owner in New Orleans and was trained as a race jockey.
The Civil War gave Allensworth the cover he needed to escape, this time into the hands of Union forces. He first became a nurse for the 44th Illinois Infantry, but later he signed on as a sailor, and he spent the rest of the war on gunboat duty. Sailors in these ships were certainly in harm’s way.
When the war ended Allensworth and his brother opened two successful restaurants in St. Louis. After a time they sold their businesses, and Allen went back to Louisville. There he completed his training in reading and became a teacher for the Freedman’s Bureau. Before long he was put in charge of some Freedman’s Bureau schools in Kentucky.
Deeply interested in spiritual growth, Allen Allensworth was ordained in 1871. His first congregation in Franklin, Kentucky numbered 13 souls. Soon there were 150 members and the congregation was self-sufficient, so Allensworth left to continue his studies at the Baptist Institute. Before long he became the secretary for the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky. After that he grew a number of Baptist congregations, and married Josephine Leavell, a talented musician who complemented his efforts.
Allen Allenworth became a known lecturer who was in high demand. His most well known lecture was on “The Five Manly Virtues.” These were Industry, Fidelity, Gentleness, Fortitude, and Prudence. In this time period he also served as a Republican Delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1880 and 1884. The connections made there helped him with the next chapter of his life.
In 1882 a Buffalo Soldier from the U.S. Army’s 24th infantry spoke to Allensworth about the desire for the soldiers in the unit to have a Black Chaplain. With Allen’s established political connections, he was able to obtain a commission as the 24th’s Chaplain with the rank of Captain. In his career he served the spiritual needs of the Buffalo Soldiers in a number of forts throughout the West. And he spent three years stationed in the Philippines during the Spanish American War. According to Monrovia historian Steve Baker, “His entire career was marked by enthusiasm, efficiency, devotion to duty, and a deep concern for the men entrusted to his care.”
In 1906 Allen Allensworth retired, and because of his service in the Civil War, he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was one of the highest ranking African American officers in the United States Army’s history. Soon afterward he was in Monrovia and established the Second Baptist Church. Then he worked with some community leaders in Pasadena to found a self-sufficient community in the San Joaquin Valley. The end result was a town, and soon it was named Allensworth.
Initially the town prospered. There was water from wells and a Santa Fe Railroad station for the town. On Sunday, September 13, 1914, Allen Allensworth arrived at the Santa Fe Station in Monrovia. As he crossed the street on Myrtle Avenue, he was struck by a motorcycle with a sidecar. The next day he passed away, ending a storied life. Services were held a few days later at Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Over time the community of Allensworth faltered. The water company failed to add needed well water, and then the Santa Fe Railroad pulled its station and bypassed the town. The population decreased over time. In 1966 the place was scheduled for demolition when arsenic was found in the water supply. But there was an interest in saving the remaining buildings By 1976 the Colonel Allensworth State Park was established. You can visit the park today, it’s just over 160 miles from Monrovia.
The Second Baptist Church in Monrovia thrives today as a legacy of Allen Allensworth. In 2017 the City of Monrovia dedicated a Neighborhood Treasure Monument to Allensworth. The image of Allensworth on the monument was created by church member Ron Husband, a prolific animator for the Walt Disney Animation Studios. When you get a chance, stop by at the church and take a look.
References and Links:
- Battles and Victories of Allen Allensworth, A.M., PhD., Lieutenant-Colonel, Retired, U.S. Army. Charles Alexander b. 1868, published in 1914.
- Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth (1842-1914), Steve Baker, 2002.
- Allensworth Centennial Commemoration - Ralph Walker, KGEM, 10-15-2014 featuring YouTube videos with Ralph Walker, Steve Baker, and others held at the Monrovia Historical Museum in 2014.
- Allen Allensworth - A Remarkable Man. Steve Baker, Monrovia Historical Society, 10-22-2020.
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