ALLISON, George C. 1856-1935

ALLISON, KENYON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/8/2016 at 20:21:01

G. C. Allison, Pioneer Grundy Banker, Is Dead

Passed Away At His Home In Grundy Center Thursday, Following A Lingering Illness

G. C. Allison, for more than twenty years vice-president of the Grundy County National Bank, died at his home in Grundy Center last Thursday afternoon following a prolonged illness with heart trouble. Mr. Allison was 78 years old, had been a resident of Iowa for 57 years, and during a great part of that time active in the business life of this community and county. He was one of the last survivors of the old guard of business men who came to Grundy Center in the years of their youth and gave their strength and energy to the building of the prosperity of the town and shaping its future.

Cliff, as he was known to everybody, had a great gift for making friends. He liked people, and won their regard and good-will. During his long connection with the Grundy County National Bank, Mr. Allison's personal popularity was an asset to that institution. His many friends throughout the county and state join with his family in mourning his departure.

His funeral service was held at the Stephen Funeral Home Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. B. Bird of the Methodist church, assisted by Rev. A. G. Annette of the Baptist church. Raymond Taft sang, accompanied at the piano by Miss Emma Kliebenstein, "Life's Weaving" and "Crossing the Bar."

Relatives attending the funeral from out of town were: Theodore Allison and wife, Sioux City; Elmer J. Allison, Peterson, Iowa; Mrs. E. G. Loeffler, Waterloo; Earl W. Allison, Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ray, Bartlesville, Okla.; Mrs. Cora K. Meguire, Kokomo, Ind.; Kenyon King, Mason City, Iowa.

Obituary
George Clifford Allison was born Nov. 13, 1856, at Franklin, Pa., the son of James and Mary Ann Allison. His early years were spent at Franklin where he attended the local schools. At the age of sixteen he entered Austinville Preparatory college at Austinville, Ohio. The following year he became a student at Sunville Seminary, Sunville, Pa. After graduation there, he took the state teachers' examination and taught school in Pennsylvania for three years. In 1878 he came to Iowa and engaged in farming in Washington township, Grundy county. In 1880 he sold his farm to his brother, E. H. Allison, and went to Iowa City where he entered the Law School of the State University. He graduated in Law in 1882 and practiced for a year or more at What Cheer, Iowa.

In 1884 Mr. Allison came to Grundy Center and entered the banking business with S. R. Raymond in the Grundy County National Bank. In this connection he remained until 1891, with the exception of a short time when he was in charge of the bank at Morrison. In 1891 he moved to Peterson, Iowa, and entered the First National Bank, later The Peterson Bank. He continued in this business for 21 years. When the Grundy County National was reorganized in 1912, Mr. Allison returned to Grundy Center, and became vice-president and one of the executive heads of this institution. In this position he served 21 years, until the spring of 1933, when failing health compelled his retirement.

For the past two years Mr. Allison has lived quietly at his home here, his strength gradually declining, until his malady, a heart ailment, caused his death last Thursday afternoon, January 17th. He was in his 79th year.

Mr. Allison was married Sept. 21, 1887, to Miss Eda Kenyon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Volney Kenyon, early settlers of Grundy county. Four sons were born to them, one of whom died in infancy and another at the age of four years. Mrs. Allison and two sons survive him: Theodore M., of Sioux City, and Clifford Bertram of Grundy Center, with three grandchildren, Barbara, Ted and Patricia.

Mr. Allison was one of a family of four brothers and two sisters. Two of his brothers, Fred of Sandy Lake, Penn., and Hale of this city, have preceded him in death. There survive him one brother, Elmer, of Peterson, Ia., and two sisters, Mrs. Ella Loeffler of Waterloo and Mrs. Clara Beatty of Bartlesville, Okla.

Mr. Allison was a member of various Masonic orders, the Blue Lodge, the Chapter, the Commandery and the Shrine. While not actively connected with any church denomination, he had an abiding interest in practical religion which was deep and sincere.

During his long illness, Mr. Allison was always cheerful. He faced the future as he met the present, with courage, confidence and uncomplaining good cheer. Honesty and integrity and an open-hearted friendliness were the high-lights of his life, and they never shone more brightly than in the days of his adversity and decline.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 24 January 1935, pg 1