James Frank Allee Passes Away

Today in Masonic History James Frank Allee passes away in 1938.

James Frank Allee was an American politician.

Allee was born on December 2nd, 1857 in Dover, Delaware. After his primary education he apprenticed with his father in the jewelry and watchmaker business.

Starting in 1886, Allee became the chairman of the state Republican party. At the time, elections were largely determined by who could help a voter pay the poll tax. The chairman of the Republican party, Allee worked hard to raise money for this purpose. He approached United States Senator form Delaware Anthony Higgins. Higgins dismissed the request for funds in such a manner it caused a rift in the party. Eventually Allee was able to get the funding from a Philadelphia businessman, J. Edward Addicks, who had moved to Delaware. In exchange for the funds, Allee needed to get support for Addicks in the Legislature, prior to the ratification of the 17th amendment United States Senators were chosen by the Legislature, so Addicks could take over a United States Senate seat.

The Addicks-Higgins conflict became National news and something of a National joke. It was made worse when the second Senate seat became vacant and the Assembly was deadlocked. Eventually a deal was struck where Addicks ended his bid to be a United States Senator and Allee was appointed. During Allee's term Democrats took over the Legislature and without the help of his mentor Addicks, Allee never came back up for reelection.

Allee passed away on October 12th, 1938.

Allee was a member of Union Lodge No. 7 in Dover, Delaware.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.