Discover the stories of our most well-known permanent residents.
Lewis F. Allen died on May 2, 1890. He was born in Westfield, Massachusetts and went to New York City at the age of 13 to begin working for a wholesale importing and jobbing dry goods house as an apprentice. In April 1827, he came to Buffalo to serve as secretary and financial manager of the Western Ensurance Company. With him came his bride of two years, the former Margaret Cleveland, an aunt of Grover Cleveland. The Allens had six children, but only two lived to adulthood. In 1829, he bought a farm lot of 29 acres extending from Main Street to the "State Reservation line" of Black Rock. He purchased several other plots of land through auction which were later sold for significant increases in value as old wooden structures were torn and new brick buildings were constructed along with the growing city. In 1833, along with some Boston investors, Allen purchased 16,000 acres of forested land on Grand Island, New York at a cost of around $6/acre. This was practically the entire Island. Allen was the uncle of President Grover Cleveland (through marriage) and is credited with introducing Cleveland to the practice of law and politics, therefore paving the way for his eventual presidency. Mr. Allen was one of the original trustees of The Buffalo City Cemetery from 1864-67 and 1878-90, and also served as Vice President from 1886-1890. Lewis F. Allen is buried in section 5 in Forest Lawn