State Web Site

O.K. ALLEN was born in Winnfield, Louisiana on August 8, 1882. His education was attained at the Springfield Normal and Business College in Missouri, and at Trinity University in Texas. Allen taught school, built a tram railroad in 1912, and eventually went into the mercantile and oil business. He entered public service in 1916, serving as the Winn Parish assessor, a position he held for four years. He also served as the police jury clerk of Winn Parish from 1924 to 1927, and was a member of the Louisiana State Senate from 1927 to 1931. Allen, who was an ally of former Governor Huey P. Long, won the 1932 Democratic gubernatorial nomination. He was elected governor by popular vote on April 19, 1932, and was sworn into office on May 16, 1932. During his tenure, the public school system was expanded, highway and bridge construction was advanced, a tick elimination program was accomplished, and Louisiana State University and state hospitals were modernized. While still in office, Allen decided to run for the U.S. Senate seat that had been vacated by the assassination of Huey Long. During his senatorial run, Allen suffered a brain hemorrhage and passed away on January 28, 1936. Governor O.K. Allen was buried at the Winnfield City Cemetery.

Sources:

Dawson III, Joseph G. The Louisiana Governors: From Iberville to Edwards. Baton Rouge: Lousiana State University Press, 1990.

Louisiana Secretary of State: The Governors of Louisiana

The Political Graveyard

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.