Jackson County IL Archives History .....U.S. Government Personnel File Of Franklin Alexander Allison, Pertaining To His Employment With The U.S. Government Printing Office 1889 -1912 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Karima Allison quest@insightbb.com July 4, 2006, 7:58 pm Book Title: The following letters, etc., were transcribed from the U.S. Government Personnel File of Franklin Alexander Allison, pertaining to his employment with the U.S. Government Printing Office: Letter of recommendation written by: John Kimmel Date: 5 April 1889 Hon. Geo. W. Smith Washington, DC Dear Sir, Mr. Frank Allison has just returned from Cape Girardeau. Mo. where he had been at work on a paper. He has quit the Cape and is now out of employment and by reason of his superior ability as a printer and his excellent records as a Republican I think he should have some good position in the Government Printing Office at Washington. He being peculiarly fitted for such a position I would respectfully recommend him for your favorable consideration and any thing you should do for him will be appreciated by your and his friends in common. He would be ready to enter upon duty on short notice. Very respectfully John (?) Kimmel * * * * * Application for employment letter written by: Franklin Alexander Allison Date: 17 April 1889 The Honorable Public Printer Washington, DC Sir: I hereby transmit you this as my application for a position in the government Printing Office. I am a bonified resident of Murphysboro Jackson Co. Ill., age 49 years and have a family. I am a (practical) printer by profession began the business when 17 years of age and am now at work in the "Era Office" of this place. Further, am now and always have been a consistent and active Republican and have never failed to do my part in campaign work. Hoping that you will favorably consider my application for a printer, I am, Very respectfully, Frank A. Allison * * * * * Letter of recommendation written by: Dr. O. B. Ormsby, Murphysboro, IL Date: 1889 I take pleasure in recommending Mr. Frank A. Allison for a position in the government printing office on the ground of ability and skill as a printer. Steadfast adherence to the Republican party during all the years since 1864, and those qualities of mind and heart that have during all the time of my acquaintance with him secured for him the respect of all classes with which he has been brought in contact. He enjoys the confidence of all our citizens who are acquainted with him. B. B. Ormsby * * * * * Letter of recommendation written by: Jno. L. Ozburn Date: 18 April 1989 OFFICE OF GARTSIDE COAL CO. Big Muddy Mines Mine Weights to Govern All Cases General Office 514 Pine Street, St. Louis, Mo. F. Hartman, Superintendent Charles Hamilton, Treasurer Alex Hamilton, Secretary Jno L. Ozburn, Clerk Murphysboro, Illinois, April 18, 1889 Hon G. W. Smith Washington DC Dear Sir: Mr. F. A. Allison of the city is an applicant for a position in the Printing Department of the Gov. From what I know ( ? ) no better selection could be made. As you well know his fitness for such a position it is useless for me to detail them here - his appointment would please his many friends here and in my opinion a majority of the Republicans of this City and vicinity. Yours Truly Jno L. Ozburn * * * * * Letter of recommendation written by: W. H. Hull, Prop. - Jackson County Era Date: 19 April 1989 Office of Jackson County Era, W. H. Hull, Prop. Fine Job Printing A Specialty Subscription Rate $1.50 year Murphysboro, ILL., April 19, 1889 I have known Mr. F. A. Allison for the past twenty-five years, during which time he has followed printing as a trade, have worked with him and had him in my employment, and I can say that he is a sober industrious and honest workman, a good citizen and moreover a Republican. As a printer I know him to be better and more proficient that the average and his steady habits entitle him to the respect of all and a valuable workman to any establishment. W. H. Hull * * * * * Letter written by: George W. Smith, U. S. Rep. (52nd Congress) Date: 12 October 1889 Mr. F. A. Allison Murphysboro, ILL. Friend Allison: Your appointment will be forwarded you today - report for duty Nov. 4th. Maj. Alden is to come on Dec 1st or about that time. Henry May - whom you know, is comfortably situation within about two blocks of the printing office and says he can furnish you a room and board - If I were you I would stop with him - Harry O'Donnel of Mound City, who is in the Printing office will be married on the 23rd inst. and he and his wife will room and board with Henry - Sam Cunningham & wife are living near Henry. I expect to be at home the last of next week if able to go - have been sick all this week and am almost too shaky to write. Very truly, Geo W. Smith * * * * * Letter written by: George W. Smith, U. S. Rep (52nd Congress) Date: 11 June 1893 Hon. F. W. Palmer Public Printer Washington DC Dear Sir: Mr. Frank A. ALLISON of Murphysboro and D. L. Barton of Carbondale, Ill, were both appointed to positions in the Govt. Printing office by yourself, on my recommendation, and both have (been) dismissed or furloughed since I left Washington. Both are married men with families to support and are poor. I am informed that you are now reinstating married men who had been furloughed. Both of these gentlemen are residents of my county and I am very anxious that you should reinstate them. They have been very faithful and I believe efficient employees. I very especially request and urge you to reinstate them both, but should it not be possible to reinstate both and yet you could reinstate one - I would request that Mr. Allison be give the preference, he has been diligently seeking work since he lost his place there but has not yet secured employment. Please notify me if you can reinstate and when they can go to work. Mr. Barton is still in Washington and Mr. Allison is now in St. Louis Mo. hunting work. One receipt of your letter I will notify Mr. Allison if he can return also give him dates. Very Truly Yours, Geo. W. Smith * * * * * Letter written by: F. A. Alison - Statement of Duties Date: 19 November 1906 Office of the Public Printer Washington, DC November 19, 1906 Statement of duties performed by Frank A. Allison in the Government Printing Office on March 30, 1905. State what skilled labor you were generally performing on or about March 30, 1905: 'Working in Section bringing in different Signatures unloading truck, and sorting different kinds of books and stacking them in ready for the bookbinders. " State about how many hours daily you were engaged upon such skilled labor at that time: "eight (8) hours" State what unskilled labor you were then performing: "Sometimes being (ref?) for cutters working at the pamphlet machine. Mending chains, and any other work requested." State about how many hours daily you were engaged upon such skilled labor at that time: "eight (8) hours" Mention any other duties which you were then performing and the time devoted to them: [Nothing listed] Name the foreman, chief or other officer who can corroborate your statement: "A. L. Wood, Adam Brandt, C. C. Covert" The above statements are true according to the best of my knowledge and belief: Frank A. Allison {signature} Signature of Laborer Remarks: [Nothing listed] Examined and approved Nov 19, 1906 Examined and approved June 13, 1907 (Signatures of approving Officers) * * * * * Letter written by: Frank Alexander Allison Date: 28 December 1909 Washington, DC Hon. Samuel B. Donnelly, Public Printer Dear Sir: I write respecting your recent order that all employees of the Government Printing Office having leave due them shall take same at this time. I am an employee of the Pamphlet Binding Section and have a growing cataract of the eye. I have been advised to have an operation performed in the spring and therefore desire to save all leave for that occasion. I trust you will accord me this privilege for which I would be extremely grateful. Very respectfully, Your obedient Servant Frank A. Allison Stamped as below: APPROVED Dec 28, 1909 (initialed) Public Printer * * * * * Letter written by: Frank Alexander Allison Date: 26 March 1912 Folding (K--n), Gen. P. Office March 26, 1912 Hon. S. P. Donnelly, Public Printer Sir I was employed as a compositor Nov. 19, 1889, but since 1898, have been working in folding room as a laborer and have tried to do my duty. I am now 72 years of age and my health is beginning to fail. I would be pleased to be transferred to the watch force where the work is not so heavy at the first vacancy, Very Respectfully, F. A. Allison 29 H Street, NW City (Washington, DC) * * * * * Letter written by: Frank Alexander Allison Date: 22 October 1912 ALPHA SYRUP CO. G. W. Wheeler, Manager Ball Phone 1745 Main Birmingham, Ala. Oct 22, 1912 Mr. Adam Brandt, Kind Sir: When I reached home my wife was sick at her daughters in Birmingham, Ala and I was called down there, and now I wish to have my time extended, and will go back to Washington, and report as soon as she gets well enough for me to leave her. My regards to all the boys there. Direct to - Murphysboro, ILL. Respectfully yours, F. A. Allison 606 East Chestnut St. Murphysboro, IL (Due in the office Nov. 2nd) -- written in a different hand NOTE: This letter is written on letterhead of the Alpha Syrup Co., Birmingham, Ala. George Wheeler was married to Catherine "Cassie" Allison, (Frank A. Allison's daughter) * * * * * Franklin Alexander Allison died just short of three months later. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/jackson/history/other/usgovern71nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 11.9 Kb