James Cameron ALLEN, Congress, IL (1822-1912)

ALLEN James Cameron , a Representative from Illinois; born in Shelby County, Ky., January 29, 1822; attended the public schools; moved to Indiana in 1830; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1843 and commenced practice in Sullivan, Ind.; prosecuting attorney for the seventh judicial district of Indiana, 1846–1848; moved to Palestine, Ill., in 1848 and continued the practice of law; member of the Illinois state house of representatives, 1850–1851; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1853–March 3, 1855); presented credentials as a Member-elect to the Thirty-fourth Congress and served from March 4, 1855, to July 18, 1856, when the House decided he was not entitled to the seat; subsequently elected to fill the vacancy thus caused and served from November 4, 1856, to March 3, 1857; was not a candidate for renomination in 1856 to the Thirty-fifth Congress; elected Clerk of the United States House of Representatives for the Thirty-fifth Congress (December 7, 1857–February 3, 1860); unsuccessful candidate for governor of Illinois in 1860; elected circuit court judge in April 1861 and served until he resigned in 1863; elected to the Thirty-eighth Congress (March 4, 1863–March 3, 1865); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1864 to the Thirty-ninth Congress; resumed the practice of law; reelected circuit court judge in 1873 and upon the establishment of the appellate court was appointed its judge, occupying both positions and serving from 1873 to 1879; moved to Olney, Richland County, Ill., in 1876 and practiced law; retired from the practice of his profession in 1907; died on January 30, 1912, in Olney, Ill.; interment in Olney Cemetery, Olney, Ill.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present