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Charles H. Allen
6th Principal of San José State University
In office August 5, 1873 – June 24, 1889
Preceded by	William T. Lucky
Succeeded by	Charles W. Childs
1st Principal of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville
In office October 9, 1866 – 1870
Personal details
Born	February 11, 1828 Mansfield, Pennsylvania
Died	September 11, 1904(1904-09-11) (aged 76) Wrights, California
Resting place	Oak Hill Memorial Park
Spouse(s)	Abigail Ann Phelps (m. 1854)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Volunteers Union Army
Years of service	1864
Rank	Captain, USV
Unit	40th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Charles H. Allen (February 11, 1828 – September 11, 1904) was an American educator and academic administrator. He taught classes and served in administrative roles across the U.S. States of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Oregon, and California, most notably becoming the Principal of the Platteville Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Platteville) and the California State Normal School (now San Jose State University).^[1]

Charles Herman Allen was born in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, on February 11, 1828, to parents Almon Allen and Polly Bates.^[2] When he was young, a "spinal curve" developed which caused significant damage to his nervous system, and would follow him for the rest of his life. He initially attended common schools of the area, before dropping out of his secondary education after only a single semester due to health issues. Initially, guided by his physicians away from further academic work, he became a cutler, however after a local teacher resigned due to illness, he began teaching for additional income, and found a passion for teaching. He then re-enrolled in secondary education, attending Westfield Academy and earning a New York Teacher's Certificate, while continuing to teach in New York common schools, and work as a cutler during the vacations.^[3][4]

In 1851, he moved to McKean County in Pennsylvania, where he became the principal of a Smethport School.^[5] He served as principal until 1854 when a decline in his health necessitated his resignation. His recovery took multiple years, during which he worked as a land surveyor.^[3] After his recovery, he became the associate principal of a normal school in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

In the summer of 1859 he was invited to Madison, Wisconsin by Henry Barnard, the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, to help organize a series of teachers' institutes designed to further develop prospective educators. Allen initially spent only that summer in Wisconsin before returning to Pennsylvania. However, after Barnard's resignation in 1860, Allen was offered and accepted positions as a normal regent board member and as the director of the teachers' institutes at the university.^[5]

For the 1860–61 academic year he taught at a private normal and high school in Madison, with the intent to continue running the teachers' institute in the summer, however, at the outbreak of the American Civil War, the teachers' institute program was cancelled. Allen then became the Madison school superintendent, working for a $250 annual salary ($8,478 in 2023) on the stipulation that he be able to continue teaching classes.^[2]

In 1863 the University of Wisconsin saw declining enrollment due to the ongoing Civil War. Allen, as normal regent board member, reasoned that opening the university to women would help to alleviate the issue and fought to departmentalize the existing education classes. Several students, alumni, and faculty opposed allowing female enrollment, but on March 16, 1863, the normal department opened anyways, with Allen as principal.^[5][6] In 1930, the normal department he founded would become the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education.

Despite its recent founding, the normal department was briefly suspended after the 1863–64 academic year when Allen and 30 of his senior students enlisted in the 40th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment as Hundred Days Men for the still-ongoing Civil War. Allen served as the captain of Company D, which marched to and defended, Memphis, Tennessee.^[7][8]

[Gets sick & leaves, then returns to be principal of the Platteville Normal School]

[principal of the Platteville Normal School]

After his resignation from the Platteville Normal School, Allen moved to Portland, Oregon to again recover his health thinking that the fresh air would benefit him. Once his health permitted, he started teaching classes in Portland, and helped open the Bishop Scott Grammar School where he would serve as Principal.^[6][9]

In 1960, San Jose State named Allen Hall in his honor, which served as a dormitory building until its demolition in 2003.^[10]

In 2007, Allen's home in Platteville contributed to the West Main Street Historic District, which was listed to the National Register of Historic Places.^[11]

to use:

Wisconsin historical society: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS4778

1928 SJSU history book: https://archive.org/details/storyofinspiring00grea/page/134/mode/2up

1941 UW-P history book: https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AHPM3JRYELSN228J/pages/AJBYPOZAYNMHMQ8A

Chautauqua History Book: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/12063616