California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 LORENCE E. ALLISON.� The wide-awake town of Kelseyville has proved a good field for progressive business men, its residents appreciating the efforts local merchants make to give them good merchandise and service, and the benefit has been mutual. Though still one of the younger of the well- known storekeepers in the place, Lorence E. Allison, senior member of the firm of Allison & Stone, has established himself thoroughly in the confidence of the townspeople, and the trade he has built up within a few years would seem astonishing to any unfamiliar with conditions in the community or with his energetic character. His honorable career is considered a credit to the town, for he is a native of Kelseyville. Though his success is his own, the community has profited by it also, and in patronizing his up-to-date store so liberally has made possible many of the conveniences he has been able to place at the disposal of his customers. The late J. Rolly Allison, father of Lorence E. Allison, came to Lake county in the sixties, and his father was a rancher in California in the early days. J. R. Allison married Mrs. Florence L. (Barker) Kelsey, a native of Massachusetts, who came to California with her parents when a girl of four- teen years, the family settling in Lake county. By her first marriage Mrs. Allison had four children, two of whom died in infancy, Susan and Elmer C. living to maturity. Susan is the wife of C. H. Peugh, a farmer, living at Modesto, Cal. ; Elmer C. is a member of the firm of Renfro & Kelsey, butchers, of Kelseyville, and his father ran the pioneer butcher shop there, built forty years ago, but he has built a new one in 1914. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Allison : Lorence E. ; Alton Grant, who is married and lives at Kelseyville; and Gladys, wife of A. N. Orcutt, a miner, of Garfield, Utah. Lorence E. Allison was born February 14, 1884, and grew up in Kelsey- ville, receiving a public school education. He began work at the age of four- teen years, clerking in the general merchandise store of W. H. Marshall, at Kelseyville. When sixteen he went to Santa Rosa to take a course in Sweet's Business College, and after graduating returned to Kelseyville and resumed work with his old employer, with whom he remained for several years. For one year he was at Lower Lake with M. Levy, and for a short time he clerked at San Rafael with Hugh Gorley, with those exceptions continuing in Mr. Marshall's employ until he embarked in business for himself, in 1911, at Kelseyville. He commenced with a notion store, adding to his stock as trade demanded, and enlarged his accommodations, until he found himself at the head of one of the largest mercantile establishments in the town. On Decem- ber 1, 1912, he took Donald R. Stone into partnership, and these young men have made a thorough "go'' of their venture. Their comprehensive stock of general merchandise includes everything for which there is likely to be any call � groceries, crockery, hardware, tinware, dry goods, hats and caps, boots and shoes, wire fencing and farming machinery, Mr. Allison being agent for the International Harvester Company's implements. He also has the agency for the Spires stage line. Mr. Allison's policy of fair and square dealing has not only brought him customers, but has also established his credit with the wholesale and jobbing houses. The store is centrally located, and the stock is displayed in an attractive and orderly manner, and conveniently arranged. There is no doubt that Mr. Allison's high personal character has been the main factor in his success, for he began with few advantages and had an up- hill road for some years, though his perseverance and industry proved suf- ficient to help him overcome the difficulties he had to encounter before he became well established. His fellow citizens have shown their trust in his ability by selecting him for local offices, among them that of postmaster, which he filled from 1911 to 1913. He has also been popular in the social organiza- tions of the town, having been president of Kelseyville Parlor, No. 219, N. S G. W., and council commander of Clear Lake Camp, No. 810, W. O. W. In politics he gives his allegiance to Republican principles. In 1907 Mr. Allison married Miss Mary E. Grigsby, daughter of the late P. D. Grigsby, of Lower Lake. They have had two children. LeRoy Ellwood and Dialtha Gladys.