Provided by Joanne James, lookup volunteer
Transcribed from Wichita Beacon, 14 Nov 1916
by Jan LaMotte

JAMES ALLISON, A PIONEER, DEAD

---------------------------

One Who Helped Build a City Here.

---------------------------

Widely Known West Wichita Man

Passed Away Late Saturday Afternoon

---------------------

Trinity Church is a monument to the memory of James Allison, pioneer of Wichita, who passed away Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at his home at 1227 University Avenue. Mr. Allison had been in failing health for many months, suffering a stroke of paralysis about a week ago, which hastened the end. He was 78 years old.

It was largely through the personal efforts of Mr. Allison that Trinity Church was built, West Wichita’s most expensive and beautiful church building. He had been superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty-one years. He was chairman of the building committee and was always connected with the board of trustees.

Mr. Allison was born in East Palestine, OH, January 1, 1838. Nancy Allison, mother of President McKinley, was his aunt. He was first cousin of the martyred President and one of his boyhood playmates. Mr. Allison was educated at Ohio Wesleyan University. He was married three times. His first wife died in 1887, soon after they came to Wichita. In 1889 he married Susie Winn Foster, who died four years later. In 1895 he married Emily B. Fowler, who survives him.

In the Realty Business

For twenty-two years Mr. Allison was associated in the real estate business with George M. Dickinson. Mr. Allison did much to make Wichita a better and more attractive city for others. He helped secure the pavements for University, Seneca and Douglas Avenues. He was one of the most concerned in the opening. He gave his two nieces, Mrs. Mabel Allison-Johnson of Mt. Hope, and Mrs. May Benton-Garretson of Whittier, their educations, by putting them through the university while they resided at the Allison home. Mrs. Johnson later graduated from Baker University and Mrs. Garretson attended the music conservatory of Boston.

Mr. Allison did much for the Y.M.C.A. and the Y.W.C.A., the Deaconess Home and Children’s Home. He gave financial support to the Southwestern College at Winfield. He helped to support home and foreign mission work.

Sent to Paris

In 1900 Mr. Allison was appointed by President McKinley as one of the United States commissioners to the Paris Exposition.

Mr. Allison is survived by his widow, four sisters and two brothers of Mt. Gilead, OH, and a son, George Allison of Detroit MI. The latter will arrive this evening.

The funeral will be held at 2:30 o’clock Tuesday at Trinity M.E. Church. Rev. C.H. Woodward of that church will be in charge of the service. Pall bearers will be J.R. Johnson, E. O. Williams, George Cox, Frank Means, J.I. Roy, Grier Nagle, men who have been associated with him as member of the board of trustees. I. W. Gill is in charge of the body.

Interment will be made in Maple Grove Cemetery. Rev. A.B. Hestwood, district superintendent, former pastor of Trinity, President Nossman of Southwestern College, are expected to be in town for the funeral.

_______________

James Allison was the son of Obediah Allison and Jemima Burt (daughter of Rev. John Burt and Hannah Mitchell). He was the grandson of Abner Allison and Ann Campbell. James and Carolyn (Dunn) Allison had 3 children: George Dunn Allison, Burt M. Allison and Hannah Allison.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This page created for Sedgwick County KSGenWeb by John Schunk (jschunk@skpub.com).
Not to be reproduced or redistributed without permission.