Boston Public Library - Electric Scotland

CHAKLES ALLISON, OF WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA. 141
558. Charles William Brandon Allison *
[544] (William,^
Samuel,^ Robert^). He was son of Major William Allison
and was born, Dec. 12, 1820, in Middletown, Dauphin county,
Penn.; removed to Ohio in 1831. He was raised upon a
farm ; was placed at hard work there, and later was a
mechanic. During this time he attended the district school,
and studied at night, preparing himself for his lifework. In
1839 he commenced the study of law, and was admitted to
the bar in Columbus, O., in Dec, 1841. He formed a partnership
with Hon. Augustus Hall, late member of congress from
Iowa and chief justice of Nebraska, and later with Otway
Curry. In 1851 he removed to Bellefontaine, O., and formed
a partnership with Congressman Benjamin Stanton. Was a
Whig, and then a Republican, in politics. In May, 1862, he
enlisted for three months in the army, and was made captain
of Company E, Eighty-sixth regiment, Ohio volunteers, and
a few days afterwards, was commissioned as colonel of the
Eighty-fifth regiment Ohio volunteers, and his company was
transferred to that regiment. In October, 1862, he was appointed
colonel of the rendezvous for drafted men at Camp
Dennison, where he remained in command until that service
was closed, Jan. 1, 1863. He was a member of the Ohio house
of representatives convened January, 1864, and was chairman
of the committee on military affairs, and a member of the judiciary
committee. He was elected a member of the Ohio state
senate, and was chosen its president. In 1866 he with Mr.
Stanton opened an office in Wheeling, West Va., and removed
there with their families April 1, 1867, where they carried on
a most extensive and lucrative practice. Mr. Stanton died
June 2, 1872. Mr. Allison continued in practice till his
death, Dec. 5, 1876, He was a self-made man. He preferred
to follow the convictions of his judgment rather than to act
from considerations of policy. He had a discriminating and
investigating mind, and ranked high as a lawyer. He married,
Nov. 6, 1844, Sophronia, daughter of Dr. Elisha S. and
Elizabeth Lee, of Marysville, O., who died Aug. 26, 1848.
She was born in Knox count}'^, O., Oct. 24, 1825. He mar-
ried, second. May 21, 1851, Mary, daughter of Hon. Benjamin
Stanton, son of Elias and Martha (Wilson) Stanton, grandson
of Benjamin and Mary Stanton, his law partner of Belle-
fontaine, O. Mrs. Allison was born at Mount Pleasant, O.,
Dec. 27, 1830, and now lives at No. 36 15th St. Wheeling,
West Va.