Mexborough and Swinton Times April 21, 1917

Council Honours
Mexborough Council’s New Chairman
Councillor Thomas Allen

Councillor Alan of Park House, Mexborough, who on Monday was elected chairman of the Mexborough Urban District Council, is a native of Mexborough.

He was born in Market Street in 1859, but has lived the greater part of his life in his present residence in Park Road, which was acquired by his father, the late Mr Thomas Allen, who was from more than 30 years was managing director of the Don Ironworks (H and S Barker and Co Ltd)

The new chairman was educated at the National School, Mexborough, was apprenticed to the iron and steel trade, working in youth under his father at the Don Iron Works. Later he became manager of Mr CH verities wagon wheel works at Swinton, and L that post about 18 years, retiring from employment in 1901.

He and his father before him a considerable interest in the Swinton gasworks, and he was elected a director of the late Swinton and Mexborough gas company in 93, remaining on the directorate until the dissolution of the Company under municipalisation in 1910.

He was elected the counselling 1913, having been defeated the previous year by one vote. Since his election he has served the ratepayers very conscientiously and painstakingly, and has devoted particular attention to sanitation.

He has been Chairman of the Sanity Committee for three years, a position he now relinquishes on becoming Chairman of the Council.

Mrs Allen (nee Miss McCae of Swinton) was for six years and Mrs of the Garden Street School (infants department). She takes a great interest in education and served on the Mexborough Education Subcommittee for several years.

Mr and Mrs Allen’s only son was killed in action in France last January.