Résumé

Draftsman, possibly Allison and Topp, Architects, Pittsburgh, PA. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1902, p. 150.)

Partner, Allison and [James E.] 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. (See Pittsburgh, PA, City Directory, 1906, p. 2078 and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1908, p. 1971.) Later projects completed in Pennsylvania included: Riverview United Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA, (1907) and the Clarion University, J. George Becht Hall, Clarion, PA, (1907).

The Allisons reestablished their parternship in Los Angeles, CA, in 1910.

On 06/18/1918, David Allison applied for a US Passport to travel in England and France to do "executive work" with the Red Cross. He was to travel abroad on 06/22/1918. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Roll #: 537; Volume #: Roll 0537 - Certificates: 22500-22749, 18 Jun 1918-20 Jun 1918, accessed 04/05/2018.) He returned from Europe on 03/12/1919 aboard the S.S. Baltic from Liverpool, England.

Partner, Allison and [James E.] Allison, Architects, Los Angeles, CA, 1910-1942. In 1942, the last year of their partnership, the Allisons maintained an office in Room #420 of the Edison Building in Los Angeles. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of California; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975; Record Group Number: 147, accessed 04/05/2018.)

Professional Activities

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA).

President, AIA, Southern California Chapter, 1925 (elected 12/1924);

Professional Awards

Fellow, American Institute of Architects (FAIA), 1926.

College

B.Arch., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 1904, and

Coursework, École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, Paris, France.

Relocation

Born in Hookstown, PA, David Allison lived for his first 29 years in that state. In 1900, David lived with his parents and six siblings at 18 Garrison Street in Allegheny, PA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Allegheny Ward 2, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Page: 13; Enumeration District: 0020, accessed 04/05/2018.) Two years later, the Allisons, David included, lived at 31 Clifton Avenue in Allegheny. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1902, p. 150.) David continued to live with his parents at 3654 Perrysville Avenue in Allegheny from at least 1907 until 1909. In 1909, James also resided at this address. (See Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1907, p. 117 and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, City Directory, 1909, p. 113.) In 04/1910, Margaret, David and "Jasper" (apparently James), remained at 3654 Perrysville Avenue. In this year, the family also had a servant, Anna Metz (born c. 1890 in Bohemia). She may have been hired to watch over James's nine-year-old daughter, Elizabeth N. Allison, (born c. 1901 in PA).

On his return from Europe in 1919, Allison indicated that he resided at the University Club in Los Angeles, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1919; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 2631; Line: 4; Page Number: 19, accessed 04/05/2018.)

In 1930, David and Elizabeth Allison resided at 2428 4th Avenue in Los Angeles, CA. They paid $90 per month in rent for their residence.
(See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1930; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0240, accessed 04/05/2018.)

On 04/27/1942, David Allison lived at 300 Saint Pierre Road in Los Angeles, CA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of California; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System, 1926-1975; Record Group Number: 147, accessed 04/05/2018.)

David and Elizabeth Allison were listed in the La Jolla, California, City Directory, 1959, as living at 8462 El Paseo Grande in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, CA. (See La Jolla, California, City Directory, 1959, p. 8.)

David Clark Allison died in Los Angeles County, CA, at the age of 80. He was laid to rest in Valhalla Memorial Park, North Hollywood, CA.

Parents

His parents were George A. Allison (1844-1925), a carpenter, and Sarah C. Nesbit Allison (1847-1910), who managed the large household. They married c. 1868. Sarah had had ten children during her lifetime, seven of whom were alive in 1900, according to the US Census of that year.George A. Allison was a Civil War veteran, a member of Company D of the 149th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He died of pneumonia in the South Side Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, on 03/24/1925. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Pennsylvania, USA; Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1965; Certificate Number Range: 021001-024000, accesssed 04/30/2019.)

His siblings included James Edward Allison (1870-1955), Alexander B. Allison (born c. 02/1871 in PA), Margaret F. Allison (born 08/1873 in PA), Sue M. Allison (born c. 12/1874 in PA), Della May Allison Ridgley (born c. 05/1877 in-d. 1908), and Louise E. Allison (born c. 07/1883 in PA). According to the 1900 US census, the following children still lived at home in Allegheny, PA: Alexander worked as a teacher, Margaret, a dressmaker, Sue, a stenographer, Della, a teacher, David an architectural draftsman, and Louise, a student. David worked as a business partner with James in both Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.

Spouse

He married Mary Elizabeth Knapp (b. 12/14/1890 in NY-d. 1977), c. 1924. A note in the Architect and Engineer reported: “Mr. D.C. Allison of the architectural firm of Allison & Allison, and Mary Elizabeth Knapp were married on Monday, July 23. The ceremony was performed at the church of the Angels.” (See “Personal,” Architect and Engineer, vol. 74, no. 2, 08/1923, p. 110.)

Mary's father was a physician, John Beach Knapp (1851-1916 or 1918), who was born in Hatfield, MA. He passed away in Brooklyn, NY.

Mary E. Knapp applied for a US passport for travel to the British Isles, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italy on 05/22/1922. She intended to travel beginning on 07/01/1922 from the Port of New York. According to this passport form, she had not resided outside the US in 1922.

Children

He and Mary had a son, David Nesbit Allison (1930-2000). She was 38 when David was born,

Biographical Notes

At age 26, David Clark Allison stood 6-feet, 2-inches tall, had a medium mouth, oval chin, high forehead, oval face and regular nose. He had blue eyes and auburn hair, and a fair complexion. He applied for a US Passport on 05/12/1908 to travel for less than two years abroad. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Roll #: 60; Volume #: Roll 0060 - Certificates: 51830-52784, 06 May 1908-13 May 1908, accessed 04/05/2018.)

In 1918, he sought another US passport to enable him to travel to England and France to perform "executive work for the Red Cross." He was to leave on board the French Line from New York on 06/22/1918. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Roll #: 537; Volume #: Roll 0537 - Certificates: 22500-22749, 18 Jun 1918-20 Jun 1918, accessed 04/29/2019.) He returned from Liverpool, England, to New York, NY, between 03/12/1919 and 03/22/1919 aboard the White Star Liner R.M.S. Baltic. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1919; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 2631; Line: 4; Page Number: 19, accessed 05/13/2019.)

D.C. Allison was listed in the 25th Anniverary Directory of the University Club, published in 1926.

David and Mary Allison arrived in Liverpool, England, 05/07/1955, from New York aboard the Cunard liner R.M.S. Media (launched 12/14/1947). According to the ship's manifest, they intended to stay two months. They stayed initially at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and successors: Inwards Passenger Lists.; Class: BT26; Piece: 1333; Item: 13, accessed 04/05/2018.)

SSN: 951-48-3464.

• Hookstown, PA (Architect's Birth)
  Hookstown, PA

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