Wirt Mimes Allison Biography


	This biography appears on pages 889-890 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and 
	was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				WIRT MIMES ALLISON. 

	Wirt Himes Allison is vice president of the Bee Hive Company, 
owning and conducting the largest department store in South Dakota and 
one of the largest in the northwest. Laudable ambition, well developed 
ability and unfailing enterprise have brought him to his present 
creditable position in connection with commercial interests of the city 
and his life record demonstrates what may be accomplished when 
determination and energy lead the way and proves also that success and 
an honored name may be won simultaneously. Mr. Allison was born in 
Pinckney, Michigan, June 9, 1862, a son of James and Dorothy Ann 
(Himes) Allison, the former a native of Orange county, New York, while 
the latter was born in the Mohawk valley of New York. The father died 
in the year 1864 while the mother, surviving him for fifteen years, 
passed away in 1879. In the family were several children, the brother 
of our subject being Eugene W. Allison. He also has two sisters living. 

	Reared in his native state, Wirt H. Allison pursued his education 
in the schools of Howell, Michigan, and in a business college at 
Detroit. He afterward engaged in clerking for eight years in a dry 
goods store in Howell and in 1888 came to Sioux Falls, where he entered 
into active connection with the Bee Hive, a department store of the 
city. He was assigned to the carpet department and, bending his 
energies to the development of its trade, made it one of the big 
departments of the establishment. Having given proof of his business 
capability, enterprise and indefatigable energy, he was admitted to the 
firm in 1900 and in 1905 was elected vice president. The building 
occupied is one of the finest and most modern in the state and has a 
frontage of sixty-six feet on Phillips avenue, the principal retail 
thoroughfare of Sioux Falls. 

	The business has grown continuously since it was taken over by E. 
C. Freese and C. M. Rohde about two decades ago. From time to time 
enlarged quarters have been secured and in 1905 the company erected a 
splendid four-story building on property with a forty-four foot 
frontage which they had previously purchased and to which they added 
twenty-two feet to the south. The present building has since been 
enlarged. The business has enjoyed a period of continuous expansion, 
growing with the growth of the city and meeting all demands by modern 
business methods. Their stock is extensive and carefully selected and 
the building is thoroughly equipped to add to the convenience of the 
business. There is a vacuum-cleaning equipment throughout and a private 
telephone exchange, with two passenger elevators and a freight 
elevator. Six delivery wagons and twelve horses and two automobile 
trucks are required to handle the trade of the store in delivery and 
the company also-owns its own heavy truck and teams for handling 
freight. Everything found in a first class department store is here to 
be had. In addition to a large line of goods including everything from 
laces to carpets, dry goods and millinery, special attention has been 
given to the comfort and welfare of the employee, for whom has been 
provided a lunch and rest room. The number of sales and office people 
now reach one hundred and thirty and the business, as previously 
stated, is the foremost of its character in South Dakota and one of the 
largest enterprises of the kind in the northwest. The present officers 
of the company are Herman C. Freese, general manager; C. M. Rohde, 
president; W. H. Allison, vice president; and 11. S. Stubbing, 
treasurer. The annual payroll amounts to more than fifty-five thousand 
dollars. 

	On the 25th of February, 1885, Mr. Allison was married at 
Brighton, Michigan, to Miss Harriett M. Nelson and they became the 
parents of the following children: Albert Fay; Bruce, who died in 
infancy; Ruth; and Margaret. The parents hold membership in the Baptist 
church and Mr. Allison belongs also to the United Commercial Travelers. 
In politics he is a republican and is well informed on the political 
issues and questions of the day but does not seek office. He has, 
however, done effective public service through eight years on the 
school board and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart 
champion. He is interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and 
progress of the community and his efforts have been an important 
element in the development of the commercial growth of the city.