Allard, Gerry, 1908-1965.

Coal miner, union activist, socialist, writer and businessman.

Born in France, the son of a coal miner, his family emigrated to Illinois in 1912. Allard began working in the coal mines at Dowell, Illinois, at age fifteen. In opposition to actions by John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers of America, Allard helped organize the Progressive Mine Workers of America in 1932. He edited the union's The Progressive Miner from 1932 to 1933, when he had disagreements with the union over editorial policies. He then published The Fighting Miner, representing left-wing miners, in Springfield, Illinois, from 1934 to 1936. From 1938 to 1940 Allard edited The Socialist Call. He then became a travelling shoe salesman, until his retirement in 1963. Allard never lost his interest in workers' rights, and advocated liberal causes. He was married to Irene Walley, with whom he had one son.