Neal W. Allen

Neal Woodside Allen (1885 – June 25, 1976) was an American politician and businessperson from Portland, Maine. He served as chairman of the Portland City Council twice (1925–26).^[1] He was elected to the first city council chosen in December 1923 after the Chamber of Commerce and Ku Klux Klan collaborated to install a council–manager government. In 1912, he purchased F. O. Bailey company, an auctioneering company which he held until his death.^[2] In 1942, he was one of the founding appointees to the Portland Planning Board and regularly served as its chair.^[3]

Allen was born in Portland and graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1904 Bowdoin College in 1907.^[4] His parents were Charles W. Allen and Ida G. Neal (Allen). He married Margaret Stevens, who was the daughter of architect John Calvin Stevens. The pair had four sons: Charles, Frederick, Neil, Jr., and Franklin, and two daughters, Louise and Barbara. One of his children, Frederick, served in the Maine Legislature from 1944 to 1952. His grandson is former U.S. Congressman Tom Allen.^[5] He died at his home (186 Craigie Street) and is buried at Portland's Evergreen Cemetery.^[6]