S. M. ALLISON, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Cron-Kills Company, manufacturers of wardrobes and ladies' desks, a very large business enterprise of Piqua, with the largest and best equipped plant of its kind in this section of the State, was born in 1863, in Preble County, Ohio.

Mr. Allison has been a resident of Piqua since he was thirteen years of age, and received a public school education here. He was nineteen years old when he entered the business with which he has been identified ever since. The Cron-Kills Company was established in 1881, by A. J. Cron, R. B. Kills, Samuel Zollinger and Henry Flesh, as Cron, Kills & Co., which style was continued until 1904, when the business was incorporated with a capital stock of $250,000, and the present style adopted. The officers are Henry Flesh, president; Samuel Zollinger, vice-president; S. M. Allison, secretary, treasurer and general manager and W. R. Bamber superintendent. The plant includes five large buildings, covering twenty-five acres of floor space, and employment is given to 200 men. Goods are shipped all over the United States and to some foreign countries. Prosperous conditions exist and the business is on such a firm basis that no changes in the tariff system of the country would cause any reduction in its output. Not only is a large amount of capital behind it, but its officers are men of personal as well as financial stability.

In 1892 Mr. Allison was married to Miss Frances Culbertson, of Piqua, and they occupy one of the fine homes of this beautiful city. Mr. Allison is an active and useful citizen and for a number of years served with public efficiency in the city council. He is a Mason of advanced, degree and for a quarter of a century has been identified with the Odd Fellows. Other organizations in which be has membership are the United Commercial Travelers and the Piqua Club.