Her great-grandparents, Thomas and Susan Richardson, came to Knox county from Kentucky through the Underground Railroad.

[3] She attended Monmouth schools with the goal of teaching foreign languages but did not end up pursuing that.

[3][4][page needed] Susan E. Cannon Allen was passionate about uplifting other African-American people and doing community work.

[3] The Autumn Leaf Club was established in June 1890 by Eva Solomon to raise money for the local Allen Chapel A. M. E. Church.

[4][page needed] She helped to found the Woman's Progressive Club in 1909 alongside twenty four other women.