Résumé

James Allison apprenticed with a builder in Pittsburgh, PA.

Principal, James E. Allison, Architect, Pittsburgh, PA, 1897-c. 1901, 1903-1906. Allison had an office at 209 9th Street, Room #904, in 1897. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1897, p. 117.) The following year, his office was listed as being in Room #806 of the Lewis Block in Pittsburgh. (SeePittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1898, p. 121.) The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1904, p. 1842, listed only James E. Allison's name as an architect working in an office in the Westinghouse Building at 1023 Bell Street.

Partner, Allison and Topp, Architects, Pittsburgh, PA, c. 1902. In 1902, Allison and Topp maintained an office in Room #1023 of the Westinghouse Building.

Partner, [David Clark] Allison and Allison, Architects, Pittsburgh, PA, c. 1906-1909. The new partnership of Allison and Allison formed sometime between 1904 and 1906. It continued leasing an office in the Westinghouse Building between 1906 and 1908. (SeePittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1906, p. 2078 and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1908, p. 1971.)

Partner, [David Clark] Allison and Allison, Architects, Los Angele,s CA, 1910-1942.

Professional Awards

Fellow, American Institute of Architects (FAIA), 1918.

Biographical Notes

The journal Architect and Engineer reported in 1923: “Architect J.E. Allison and family left August 10 for a trip to their former home in Pittsburg. [sic] Mr. Allison plans to visit New York, Detroit, and other eastern cities and to return by the Canadian Pacific route in September.” (See “Personal,” Architect and Engineer, vol. 74, no. 2, 08/1923, p. 110.)

Relocation

As a ten-year-old boy, James lived on a family farm near Greene Township, in Beaver County, PA, northwest of Pittsburgh. Greene stood on Ohio River, where PA bordered both OH and WV. The 1880 US Census listed him as "Edward J. Allison," while that of 1910 called him "Jasper E. Allison." In 1880, he lived at home with his siblings, Bertram A. Allison, Maggie F. Allison, Susie M. Allison, and Della M. Allison. Another "James Allison," (born c. 1824 in PA) perhaps George Allison's brother or father, either lived next door or with the family in 1880. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Greene, Beaver, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1097; Page: 222A; Enumeration District: 189, accessed 04/30/2019.)

Allison resided at 27 Garrison Street in Allegheny, PA, in 1897. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1897, p. 117.)

He moved to Riverview Avenue in Allegheny, PA, in either late 1897 or 1898. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1898, p. 121.) James Allison lived at 21 Riverview Avenue in 1902. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1902, p. 150.) At this time, Allegheny was its own city, but the City of Pittsburgh, would annex it in 1907.

James E. Allison traveled to CA in 1903 to scout out a new site for an architectural practice operated by his brother, David, and him.

Between 1909 and 1910, at least, James Allison lived with his parents at 3654 Perryville Avenue in Pittsburgh. A widower, he shared the house with two of his siblings. including David Clark Allison and Margaret F. Allison, and his daughter, Elizabeth N. Allison. A 20-year-old housemaid, Anna Metz, also lived at this address in 1910. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1909, p. 113 and Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1308; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0639; FHL microfilm: 1375321, accessed 04/30/2019.)

Allison and his family lived at 340 South Lake Avenue in Pasadena, CA, in 1920. Daughter Elizabeth remained at home as per the 1920 US Census. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Pasadena, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T625_117; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 526, accessed 04/30/2019.)

The 1930 US Census reported that James and Mary Allison had a house at 970 San Pasqual Street in Pasadena, CA, a residence worth a significant $60,000. They retained a maid, Anna Braddock, (born c. 1870 in IA). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1930; Census Place: Pasadena, Los Angeles, California; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 1256; FHL microfilm: 2339904, accessed 04/30/2019.)

Ten years later, the census recorded that the Allisons resided at 980 San Pasqual Street in Pasadena, CA. They owned their house valued at the time at only $17,000. They had a maid, Dora Baumgartner, (born c. 1880 in IN), a widow who lived previously in Berne, IN, the home of the notable Dunbar Furniture Company. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1940; Census Place: Pasadena, Los Angeles, California; Roll: m-t0627-00242; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 19-489, accessed 04/30/2019.)

James Edward Allison passed away at age 85 in Santa Barbara, CA, and was buried at Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum, Altadena, CA.

Parents

His parents were George A. Allison (1844–1925), a farmer and later a carpenter, and Sarah C. Nesbit Allison (1847-1910), who managed the household. They married c. 1868, and had ten children together, six of whom survived in 1910. The 1910 US Census indicated that George Allison was a "house carpenter" and that his sons, James and David, worked as architects for a contractor. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Pittsburgh Ward 26, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Roll: T624_1308; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0639; FHL microfilm: 1375321, accessed 04/30/2019.) In 1880, however, George was listed as a farmer, living in Greene County, PA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Greene, Beaver, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1097; Page: 222A; Enumeration District: 189, accessed 04/30/2019.)

James E. Allison was a business partner of his brother, David Clark Allison, in the firm of Allison and Allison headquartered first in Pittsburgh, PA, and later Los Angeles, CA. Some of his other siblings were Bertram A. Allison (born c. 1871 in PA), Maggie F. Allison (born c. 1872 in PA), Susie M. Allison (born c. 1874 in PA), and Della M. Allison (born c. 1876 in PA).

Spouse

He wed his first wife

His second wife was Mary E. Allison (born c. 1867 in IL).

Children

He and Mary had a daughter, Elizabeth N. Allison (born c. 1901 in PA).

Biographical Notes

James E. Allison was a "Director's Member" of the University Club, Los Angeles, a fraternal group that met in a building designed by David Allison and himself in the early.