John Allen (December 30, 1771 – January 22, 1813) was a United States politician and army officer who was killed in the War of 1812. Allen was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and moved with his father to Kentucky in 1779. He went to school in Bardstown, Kentucky and studied law in Staunton, Virginia. He then returned to Kentucky to law practice in Shelbyville. He was elected to the Kentucky Senate in 1807, and served until his death. Early in the War of 1812, Allen raised the 1st Regiment of Riflemen to serve under General William Henry Harrison. Allen was commissioned its colonel. He was killed in action while leading his men at the Battle of Frenchtown on the River Raisin in southeast Michigan. Allen County, Kentucky was named for him in 1815. He is also honored by Allen County, Ohio, and Allen County, Indiana. References Helen Winemiller Wood. The Naming of Allen County. Lima, Ohio: Longmeier, 1984 American militia officers 1771 births 1813 deaths People from Shelbyville, Kentucky People from Rockbridge County, Virginia American military personnel killed in the War of 1812 People from Kentucky in the War of 1812 Virginia colonial people Kentucky lawyers Kentucky state senators American militiamen in the War of 1812 19th-century American lawyers