Senator William B. Allison 1829 – 1908

ALLISON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/27/2019 at 14:33:54

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Aug. 11, 1908, LP, C4

Whole City in Silence During the Ceremony—Thousands Viewed Body as it Lay in State—Many Distinguished Visitors in Attendance.

Dubuque, Ia., Aug. 10.—As he lived so was Senator William B. Allison buried Saturday in a manner devoid of all ostentation. Services were held at the residence of the dead statesman, and while not of a private character the limited accommodations of the home permitted only the presence of the distinguished visitors, the relatives and the most intimate friends of the late senator. The services were simple and consisted of the reading of the Twenty-third Psalm, the fiftieth chapter of the Epistle to the Corinthians, and a prayer. Rev. J. T. Bergen of the Westminster Presbyterian church officiated. There was no music. The interment was private, and after the Presbyterian committal service had been read by Dr. Bergen the body of the senator was lowered into its last resting place on the hillside which overlooks the Mississippi river.
All Dubuque paid a silent tribute to the memory of Senator Allison. During the hours of the funeral ceremony not a wheel turned throughout the city, and every business house closed its doors. Flags hung at half mast from public buildings and hundreds of homes and business houses were trimmed with crepe. A most effective feature was the winding with black and white of the trolley poles throughout the main thoroughfare of the city.
The body of Senator Allison lay in state Friday afternoon and evening, and thousands of people called to pay a final tribute of respect. The only floral tributes were a blanket of American Beauty roses, completely covering the casket, an emblem of the Loyal Legion and the national flag. The pall bearers were all residents of the city and intimate friends of the senator.
There were many distinguished visitors in attendance at the funeral. Besides The members of the congressional committee named by Vice-President Fairbanks and Speaker Cannon there was a large delegation from Des Moines, consisting of Gov. Cummins and other state officers.
The grave of Senator Allison is in the family lot in Linwood cemetery. A modest marble shaft, bearing the single word “Allison,” was erected on the lot 20 years ago. The grave is close to that in which is buried the body of the late Speaker David B. Henderson.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows that he was born March 2, 1829 and died August 14, 1908.