Allen Ripley Foote

Biography

Allen Ripley Foote was born on January 26, 1842, in Olcott, Niagara County, New York, to Elijah and Olbia L. Foote. His father worked as a harnessmaker, and the family moved west during Allen's youth, eventually settling in Grand Rapids, Michigan. By 1860, young Allen was working as a clerk for J. Kendall & Company and living in Grand Rapids' Fourth Ward among neighbors who would later become his fellow soldiers, including Wilson Jones, Alfred Pew (married to his sister Lucy), and Baker Borden, who would command Company B of the 3rd Michigan Infantry.

At age 19, Foote enlisted with his parents' consent in Company B of the 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment, serving with distinction in significant Civil War battles including First Bull Run and the Battle of Williamsburg. After his initial discharge, he re-enlisted in the 21st Michigan Infantry in 1864, rising to Second Lieutenant and participating in the Grand Review in Washington D.C. in 1865. His military experiences provided the foundation for his later memoir 'Some of My War Stories' (1912), which captures both the chaos of battle and the profound bonds formed among soldiers.

Following the war, Foote became a prominent economist and public policy expert, specializing in taxation, public utilities, and municipal governance. He lived in various cities including New York, Cincinnati, Washington D.C., and Columbus, Ohio, working as an expert on the emerging electric utilities industry. His most significant achievement was founding the National Tax Association in 1907, reflecting his belief in fiscal responsibility and opposition to monopolistic practices. He served as president of the organization and published extensively on taxation, railroad regulation, and public finance reform, becoming a respected voice in Progressive Era economic thought until his death in Fletcher, North Carolina in 1925.

Major Works & Series

Literary Significance & Legacy

Foote's 'Some of My War Stories' contributes significantly to Civil War memoir literature, offering a unique Midwestern perspective from Michigan regiment service. His writing combines vivid battlefield descriptions with thoughtful reflection on military service, providing valuable insight into Union soldiers' experiences. The memoir's honest portrayal of both heroic and mundane aspects of military life adds authenticity to the historical record and demonstrates the lasting bonds formed among soldiers from the same community.

Beyond his military memoirs, Foote's extensive writings on public policy, taxation, and economic reform represent important contributions to Progressive Era thought. His founding of the National Tax Association and advocacy for responsible fiscal policy demonstrate his commitment to translating military service into civilian leadership. His work on public utilities regulation and municipal governance helped shape modern approaches to public administration and corporate oversight, bridging personal war experience with broader questions of citizenship and public service.

Best Starting Points

• Some of My War Stories
  His most accessible work, available through Project Gutenberg, offering compelling firsthand accounts of Civil War battles and military camaraderie
• Powers of Municipalities
  Key work demonstrating his expertise in public administration and municipal governance reform
• Taxation of Railroads in the United States
  Major contribution to Progressive Era discussions of corporate regulation and fair taxation policy
• National Tax Association Papers
  His scholarly contributions published through the organization he founded, covering various aspects of fiscal policy

Famous Characters

• Young Recruit Foote
  The memoir's narrator as an eager 19-year-old learning the harsh realities of military life and battlefield courage
• Company B Comrades
  Fellow Grand Rapids soldiers including Wilson Jones, Alfred Pew, David Northrup, and Captain Baker Borden, representing hometown bonds in military service
• The Progressive Economist
  Foote's post-war identity as a reformer fighting monopolies and advocating for responsible fiscal policy
• The Citizen-Soldier
  His ideal of the veteran who transitions from military to civilian service, embodying civic duty and public service