Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth
April 7, 1842 – September 14, 1914
Allensworth, Calif.: A California Dream
He was born into slavery in Louisville, Kentucky in 1842, Allen was the youngest of thirteen children of Phyllis and Levi Allensworth. He was a visionary who believed no one was bond but was to be free. One day he fled from slavery and entered into the Uinon as a solider. He studied theology and was ordanined a Baptist Minister . In 1880 and 1884, he served as the only black delegate from Kentucky in the Republican National Conventions. In 1886 he gained an appointment Lt. Col and the military chaplain. He gained support by both southern and northern politicians for appointment as a chaplain in the US Army. his appointment was confirmed by the Senate, as necessary at the time, and approved by the president. He was one of the few black chaplains in the US Army and was assigned to the 24th Infantry Regiment, known as the Buffalo Soldiers