John Allison (Representative)

John Allison (August 5, 1812 – March 23, 1878) was an American politician, most notably serving in the U.S. House as a Representative of Pennsylvania during the 1850s.[1]

John Allison
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857
Preceded by	Michael C. Trout
Succeeded by	William Stewart
Constituency	23rd district
In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853
Preceded by	Robert R. Reed
Succeeded by	John L. Dawson
Constituency	20th district
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office 1846 1847 1849
Personal details
Born	(1812-08-05)August 5, 1812 Beaver, Pennsylvania
Died	March 23, 1878(1878-03-23) (aged 65) Washington, D.C.
Political party	Whig, Oppositionist, Republican

Allison was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania and grew up to study law. He was the son of James Allison, Jr. He was admitted to the bar, but did not practice, instead establishing a hat factory. He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1846, 1847, and 1849; he ran successfully for the U.S. House as a Whig in the 1850 election. He lost his bid for re-election in 1852, but won back the seat in 1854 as an Oppositionist. He then retired from the House in 1856.[1]

After retiring from the House, he was active in the politics of the nascent Republican Party; he served as a delegate to their 1856 convention, where he nominated Abraham Lincoln for Vice President.[1]

On April 3, 1869, Allison was appointed Register of the U.S. Treasury, a post he held until his death. He was interred in Beaver Cemetery.[1]