Daniel H. Allison was born in Smith County, Tenn., January 15, 1821, and is the second member of a family of seven sons and six daughters, born to William and Mary (Ellison) Allison. Of this family but two are living, our subject, and one sister. The father was born in South Carolina, and immigrated with his parents to Tennessee when a small boy. He was reared in Smith County, and after his marriage settled at Middleton, Tenn. In 1833 or 1834 he moved to Madison County, where he followed farming. He died at his son Joseph's home December 21, 1878. His wife was born in Kentucky, and died in 1872. Daniel H. Allison has made farming his chief business through life. June 29, 1842, he married Nancy Watson, daughter of John Watson. Of thirteen children born to them but six are living: Mary J. (Mrs. Hogans), Beuna Vista A., Louisa (Mrs. Robertson), Virginia, Fannie Bell and James M. The mother of this family was born in Carroll County February 25, 1826. In April, 1864, Mr. Allison enlisted in Col. Newsom' s regiment of Tennessee Cavalry, and was at Brice's Cross Roads. He accompanied Hood throughout his Tennessee raid, and was at the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and served with distinction until the close of the war. He is a Democrat, and owns 235 acres of land about eleven miles southeast of Jackson. He and Mrs. Allison are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Goodspeeds History of Tennessee