Brewster Randolph Allabough
1874-1879

Brewster Randolph Allabough was one of several persons in founded the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf. He and Ziegler, the Father of PSAD, were long life friends.

Allabough served 31 consecutive years since 1881, 4 years as a board member, 2 years as a 1st Vice President, 2 years as a 2nd Vice President, 17 years as a Treasurer and 6 years as a President. He also served on committees for National Association of the Deaf.

Allabough took a leading part in the movement to establish the Home for the Aged and Infirm Deaf dedicated at Doylestown in 1902. He was on the Board of Trustee of the Home. He was a lay reader at St. Margaret's Mission to the Deaf at Pittsburgh, which later he became an ordained priest in 1911. His first job was Clerk at London, Liverpool & Global Insurance Company in New York. After 2 years at New York, he changed his occupation to Supervisor of Boys dormitory at the Western Pittsburgh School for the Deaf. Five years later, he became a teacher. When he was at WPSD in 1907, he studied at the Chautauguat Literary and Scientific Circle to become a priest. In 1910, he became a Deaconate. He resigned from WPSD when he became an ordained an Episcopal Priest. He earned $1460 a year when he was a teacher.

Allabough was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania on March 18, 1861. He lost his hearing from scarlet fever at 2 years of age. He attended Pennsylvania School for the Deaf when he was 13 years old. After graduation in 1879, he went on to Gallaudet University to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1884.

Allabough was born to Joseph L and Louise. The father was an Attorney at Law and had hoped for Brewster the eldest son of the family to follow his foot. He had two brothers, named David and Joseph, Jr. The sons' mother died when they were very young.

Allabough was married to a Gallaudet University graduate named Lily Annabel. Lily was very actively involved in the Home Project. They had 3 children, Helen, Davida and the 3rd child died during birth. His wife, Lily died of cancer in 1909. Allabough raised 2 small children just like his father did. A year later, he remarried to Mrs. Nellie Pierce Pyle, also was an ex 1899 student at Gallaudet University.

Allabough was 58 years old when he died on May 19, 1919. He passed away very quickly, more like a "drop dead". It happened when he walked to a train station on his way home from Cleveland, Ohio. He had conducted a religious service the evening before at Middletown, Ohio, and so far, the people said that he was in his usual good health. The manner of his death, a strange coincidence, was similar to that of his predecessor, Rev. Austin W. Mann. He was buried in Norristown, a cemetery facing the Schuylkill River, Ziegler joined him when he was buried in Philadelphia, and his cemetery is also facing the same river.

Many people called him a "workhorse" of the Society. Hodgson, the editor of Deaf-Mutes Journal called him a "True Founder of PSAD". . He added that he was a true believer in organized effort. He worked hard to pay off the mortgage that PSAD owed for the property, which the Home was used at Doylestown.

Six years after purchasing the property, PSAD paid off the entire mortgage. He hosted a celebration for this special occasion and in front of the crowd, he burned the mortgage papers, and collected the ashes and put them in a bag for historical purpose. He added that he was a true believer in organized effort.

The editor of Gallaudet Buff and Blue called him, the most intelligent and faithful worker for our welfare. The initiative and energy that he joined with Ziegler, on an enduring basis for the formation of PSAD. In an obituary from the Deaf-Mutes Journal, he was considered the most generous and a noble man.

One of his greatest accomplishments: He was considered the father of the Chapters

In 1901, when he was a President of PSAD, he saw there were only 4 chapters in existence since 1899. so he decided to travel to the cities and helped Deaf to establish their first Chapters. It was remarkable accomplishment when he formed 10 chapters in just 24 days. He also managed to form a Chapter in Erie and then set up another one in York the next day. In addition, he was a very dedicated worker and unselfish with monies because he paid the traveling expenses from his pocket instead of using PSAD funds. Allabough helped form the Chapters: Johnson - June 22, Altoona, - June 25, Beaver Valley - June 28, Erie - July 1, York - July 2, Harrisburg - July 8, Lebanon - July 12, Reading - July 13, Allentown - July 15, Scranton - July 16.

Allabough was physically strong and robust. He was a great lover of outdoor sports, and during his college days he was at home with the tennis racquet, a powerful player on the football team, and a star on the baseball diamond.

By Reginald L. Boyd

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