Background
Allison was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania and grew up to study law. He was the son of James Allison, Junior. He was admitted to the bar, but did not practice, instead establishing a hat factory.
Allison was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania and grew up to study law. He was the son of James Allison, Junior. He was admitted to the bar, but did not practice, instead establishing a hat factory.
Studied law.
He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1846, 1847, and 1849. He ran successfully for the United States. House as a Whig in the 1850 election. He then retired from the House in 1856.
After retiring from the House, he was active in the politics of the nascent Republican Party.
He served as a delegate to their 1856 convention, where he nominated Abraham Lincoln for Vice President. On April 3, 1869, Allison was appointed Register of the United States. Treasury, a post he held until his death.
He was interred in Beaver Cemetery.
Member Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1846, 47, 49. Member United States House of Representatives (Whig) from Pennsylvania, 32d, 34th congresses, 1851-1853, 55-57.