S. B. Allen was the son of James Allen that left Maury Co. Tennessee and came to Illinois. S. B. Allen was born near Rectorville on July 29, 1835 and in his early life worked on a farm and attended subscription school. He was a teacher for a while and farmed when school was not in session. At the age of 30 he quit teaching and that same year he married Cordelia Hardesty on October 22, 1865. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Pleasant Grove, better known as "The Old Douglass Camp Ground." He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity, being made a Mason at Raleigh, Illinois in 1864, moving his membership to Walpole, Illinois and then to Broughton. Sam and Cordelia Allen were blessed with eight children, Forence Minnie, Olive, Charles, George, and James Harley (two sons died as infants).

Sam Allen operated a store in Rectorville and was persuaded by Dr. Dawes to move his store to the railroad. Sam saw great potential for the town of Broughton situated on the new railroad. Within a short time after the town was platted, Samuel Allen abandoned Rectorville where he shared a business with Tomzen Gholson called "Allen & Gholson" and moved his general store to Broughton on corner of Dawes & First Street. He operated the store across from the depot until about 1902. He was a Notary Public and his name can be found on numerous documents in the county records. His son Charles W. Allen operated the "Big Allen Store" next to "Hamilton & Gaines" in Broughton.

Sam Allen was a man of convictions and was "immovable" when he had taken a stand on an issue. He brought a sense of stability and determination to Broughton with his business and his ability as a community leader. He died on Sunday, Feb. 11, 1917 and was buried by the Masonic Order at the Gholson Cemetery near Rectorville & Broughton.