[p. 978] who owns a farm of eighty acres about one mile east of Princeton, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is a veteran of the Civil War and has followed farming as an occupation all his life, but is now living, practically, in retirement. He was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1838, is a son of George and Jane (Kennedy) Allison, and a grandson of William Allison.
William Allison, the grandfather, was born in Ireland and upon coming to this country located near Prospect, Pa., where he passed the remainder of his days in agricultural pursuits. His widow, whose maiden name was Gardner, died near Wurtemburg, Lawrence County.
George Allison was born near Prospect, Butler County, and received his educational training in the primitive schools of that neighborhood. Late in the forties he moved to what has since been known as the old Allison homestead in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, acquiring 160 acres of wild and undeveloped land. He made a clearing, erected a cabin and there farmed until his death in 1853. He married Jane Kennedy, a daughter of Miller Kennedy, of Lawrence County, he having come originally from east of Pittsburg. Five children were the issue of this union: William M.; James, who died upon his return from the war; Gilbert, of New Castle; Martha, widow of Bitner Allen, lives in Oklahoma, and Mary Jane, deceased, was the wife of David P. Crable and lived in Nebraska.
William M. Allison received his intellectual training in the public schools of Lawrence County, and lived on the old home farm throughout his active business career, except for the time spent in the Union army during the Civil War. He farmed with great success and in 1906 turned the home place over to his son, and moved to his present location. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the One Hundredth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, known as "Round Heads," and served one and a half years, being discharged at the end of that time on account of physical disability, caused by a spell of sickness. During that time he participated in numerous important battles and skirmishes, among them James Island, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam.
Mr. Allison was united in marriage with Mary Jane Burnside, whose parents came to the Muddy Creek community of Lawrence County from their native land, Ireland. Eight children were born to bless this home: James, of Colorado, who married Nora Book and has a son, William; John, who also is in the West; Albert, who lives on the home place; Samuel, who married Nina Annibal, of Rose Point, has three children, Earl, Paul and Bessie Marie; Bessie, wife of John L. Gillespie, lives in Colorado; Audley, living on the old homestead, married Lillie Munnell; Edward, a dentist by profession, lives in Lowellville, Ohio, and Howard lives on the home place. Politically, Mr. Allison is a stanch Republican and takes a deep interest in his party's success. Religiously he is a member of the Oak Grove United Presbyterian Church.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 12 Feb 2002