Allen, Edward Charles
Dates
- Existence: 1849 - 1881
Biography
Augusta, Maine became one of the leading publishing centers of the country, and the name of E. C. Allen, is now familiar in every part of the United States and Canada; while his publications went to regular subscribers in every country of the world, where English-speaking people were to be found. His boyhood was spent on the farm. He began his business career at the age of sixteen, as an advertiser of books and novelties. In 1868 he went to Augusta. His first venture was 'The People s Literary Companion', a large eight-page monthly sheet, which was first issued in 1869. In this paper he made his debut not only as a publisher, but as a writer of fiction. He had been the wealthiest man of Augusta. He was a directer in the Kennebec Steamboat Co., a director in the Augusta National Bank, president and director of the Augusta Loan & Building Association from its organization in 1887, a director in the Cushnoc Fiber Co., and for 3yrs. president of the Augusta Board of Trade. He was a delegate to the democratic national convention at St. Louis in 1888.