At some point I want to explore the stories of other early LaRue County School Superintendents & teachers. Here is one VERY worthy of recognition. He's an important figure in our Commonwealth's educational history. gdg
LINDSEY EVERETT ALLEN (15 JAN 1899-1980)
The following is a little-known account of the career of Lindsey Everett Allen, educator from LaRue County who was instrumental in the development of and advocacy for adult education in Kentucky. At the time, some three generations ago, continued education for adults long gone from the traditional childhood educational system was but an infant idea born of the adversities of the Great American Depression. Thanks to Allen, his realization of a need and dedication to finding solutions for his fellow Kentuckians grew into a lasting legacy perpetuated with great pride to this day. Allen personally chronicled the beginnings of these modern programs in the writing of his 1941 University of Kentucky thesis, “History WPA Education Program in Kentucky” (University of Kentucky).
Born in Hibernia in southern LaRue County near to Taylor & Green Counties, Lindsey graduated from WKU in 1934 where he had studied while serving as LaRue County's Superintendent. Lindsey went on then to study full time at the University of Kentucky while simultaneously serving as a statewide Educational Director for the WPA. During this period he worked on curriculum development in Citizenship for middle & high school grades as his interests shifted toward the tremendous need in America for adult education and vocational training. Lindsey Allen's Depression era work in adult education was discussed in 1944 by Flora L. Morris in her University of Louisville master's thesis entitled, "A Study of the History of Adult Elementary and Secondary Education and Possibilities for Future Service in Louisville, Kentucky" (University of Louisville, Institutional Repository). Here Ms. Morris provided a brief biography of Mr. Allen, her former Works Progress Administration supervisor.
Allen, Lindsey E. - State Supervisor and Director of Adult Education Program, Works Projects in Kentucky.
"Born in Larue County, Kentucky; attended the rural elementary schools of that county; received his high school education in the High School Department of Western Kentucky State Teachers College, at Bowling Green, Ky.; B.S Degree June, 1934 from Western Teachers College, and degree of Master of Arts at the University of Kentucky, July, 1941.
Married Christine Stiles, and has two children.
Taught in the public schools of Larue County 1921-1929. From July 1, 1930 to June 30, 1934, served as County Superintendent of Larue County Schools.
Supervisor and Director of the Kentucky Adult Education Program from July 1934 to April 1943. Now connected with the State Division Vocational Rehabilitation, State Department of Education. Said, "Today, it seems reasonable to hope that adult education will be recognized as an integral part of a total program of education for all the people”"
Before entering into public service, Allen was pretty much just another country boy. Per his 1918 World War I registration, as a young man he farmed, employed by his parents, Joe & Lucy Allen. "Joe" was Joseph Wesley Allen, younger brother to my own 2nd great grandfather, William Henry Allen, so Lindsay was a first cousin to my great grandmother, Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Allen Poteet. Joe Allen married Lucy J. Skaggs 23 July 1895.
As mentioned, Lindsay married Christine Stiles, apparently having met at Western while both were at school. "Chris" seems to have been the daughter of Everett & Mary Stiles of Vienna in McClean County, south of Owensboro.
By the 1950s, the Allens had left LaRue County and moved to Louisville where they raised two sons, Dr. Stiles Wesley Allen born in LaRue County 24 Dec 1929 and later a graduate of the University of Louisville school of medicine, and his younger sibling Lindsey Gordon born to the Allens 18 Nov 1932 while in LaRue C. During this time, Lindsay Allen continued to advocate for positive changes in adult education, serving as Chairman of the Kentucky (Vocational) Rehabilitation Association.
Lindsey died in Richmond, Virginia in 1980, and was laid to rest in Westhampton Memorial Park.
His work is carried on, though. Today Allen's model serves our Commonwealth still and is guided under the direction of Reecie D. Stagnolia, vice president for Kentucky Adult Education, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, and now the Chairman of the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education (NCSDAE) Executive Committee.
Researched & compiled by Gary Dean Gardner, 2016
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