JOSEPH ALLISON was born near Dover, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, October 17, 1828. Joseph Allison, his father, was supposed to have been born in Pennsylvania, as he was reared and married in that State, and moved from there to Ohio. He bought a tract of timber land in Tuscarawas county, built a log cabin in the wilderness, settled on his frontier farm and began the work of clearing it. He lived there till 1840, when he came Illinois, being accompanied by his wife and eight children. He made the journey overland with teams, working and camping on the way. After a month's travel in this way, they landed at Jacksonville, Morgan county. At that time Jacksonville was a hamlet and Springfield only a small place, the surrounding country being thinly settled. Renting land in Morgan county, he lived there four years. Then he moved to Cass county, and in 1847, after renting land here three years, bought a farm in section 23, of township 18, range 9, it being unimproved at the time of purchase. He brought a log house from Morgan county and erected it on this place. It was years before there were any railroads here. Settlers were few and wild game was plentiful. Beardstown was the chief market for supplies. Mr. Allison resided on this place till his death, February 11, 1859. He spent years of toil here, improving and beautifying his farm, and at the time of his death had it in a flourishing condition, with good frame buildings, etc. The maiden name of his wife, mother of the subject of our sketch, was Elizabeth Spawn. She was born in Pennsylvania, and died on the home farm, February 18, 1859. They were married in 1812. Following are the names of their eight children: Mary, Margaret, Jane, John, Elizabeth, Martha, Joseph and Catherine.

Joseph was twelve years old when his parents came to Illinois, and he well remembers the incidents connected with their pioneer life here. His mother used to card, spin and weave, and dress her children in homespun. He resided with his parents until their death, and now owns and occupies a part of the old homestead. The farm contains 137 acres and is well improved with good buildings, etc.

Mr. Allison was united in marriage, December 26, 1849, with Cecelia E. Logue, who was born in Warren county, Tennessee, April 26, 1829. Her father, Oliver Logue, was born in the same county, January 17, 1805, son of William Logue, thought to have been a native of Georgia. William Logue was a farmer and teacher, and served as a Justice of the Peace in Warren county, Tennessee, where his death occurred. The maiden name of grandmother Logue was Hannah Sturgis. She, too, died in Warren county. Oliver Logue was reared and married in Warren county, and from there moved to Illinois, in 1829, becoming one of the first settlers of what is now Menard county. About a year later he moved to that part of Morgan county now included in Cass. Here he entered a tract of Government land, improved a farm, and resided till his death. Mrs. Logue, nee Rebecca Cole, was born in Warren county, Tennessee, January 12, 1805, daughter of James Cole.

Mr. and Mrs. Allison have three children: John Wesley, who was born March 3, 1851, and married Mary Mellstead, and has two children, Bessie and Cassie; James E., born in 1857, who married Lillie Wyatt, has one child, Etta; and Arthur, born August 11, 1866, who married Sarah Morgan; Elizabeth E., born June 1, 1854, died December 30, 1854.

Politically, Mr. Allison is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Allison has disposed of his farm and intends to retire from active business pursuits.