HistoricSiteMarkers
Reconstruction & Gilded AgeCivil War

Capt. Charles Henry Allyn

Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas

Marker Inscription

New York native Charles Henry Allyn (1842-1918) came to Texas in 1868, after having served as a captain in the Union army during the Civil War. Capt. Allyn arrived in Corsicana with his wife, Angela (Aldrich), in 1871. As a Corsicana businessman, he assisted in the organization of the First National Bank, local savings and loan companies, and the cotton mill. Allyn served as a member of the city council before holding a two-year term as Corsicana's mayor from 1888 to 1890. Capt. Allyn was also active in civic, educational, and church activities. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

A New York native, Charles Henry Allyn served as a Union captain in the Civil War before coming to Texas in 1868 and settling in Corsicana with his wife Angela in 1871. There he became a pillar of the growing town's economy, helping organize its first national bank, savings and loan companies, and cotton mill. He served on the city council and as mayor from 1888 to 1890, remaining active in civic, educational, and church affairs until his death in 1918.

Why it matters

Allyn's life traces the path of Northern veterans who moved south after the war and helped build the commercial towns of Reconstruction- and Gilded Age-era Texas.

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Related people

  • ยท Charles Henry Allyn
  • ยท Angela Aldrich Allyn

Themes & tags

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