Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1909-12-24
MRS. Z. P. Hills
PASSES AWAY IN
OLD FAMILY HOME
WIDOW OF FOUNDER OF RELIANCE
WORKS DIES AFTER SHORT
ILLNESS.
FAMILY IS WIDELY KNOWN.
Identified with Milwaukee's Greatest
Manufacturing Interests for
Many Years.
KNOWN FOR HER PHILANTHROPY

MILWAUKEE, Wis, Dec. 20, 1909
The death Of Mrs. Edward p Allis,
widow Of the founder Of The great ma
chinery works now known by the name
Of the Allis-Chalmers company, occurred
at her residence on Martin street this
morning at $50 O'Clock
She was seized with an aDoplectic
stroke last Wednesday afternoon, and
though there have been intervals when
she seemed to rally the end has been
feared from the beginning.
Mrs. Allis was 81 years Of age She
had been a prominent figure in Milwau-
kee society since her arrival in this city
in 1913 as the bride Of her late hus-
band. A woman of culture, ability, en-
ergy and kind heart, she had borne a
large part in social and charitable under
takings and was widely esteemed and
beloved
The maiden name of Mrs. AIIis was
Margaret Watson. She was born at
Geneva, \. Y, September %, 1928. be
Ing the second Of the twelve children Of
William w. Watson and Elizabeth
Goundry Watson. The friendship be
tween Miss Watson and Mr.. Allis began
In childhood. When he attended Union
college she was a pupil at a seminary
near by. When he came to Wisconsin to
Il
the full intention Of returning, as he did
two years later, and claiming her as his
bride. The wedding took place at the
home OF the WatsOns, September II,
1913. Bringing Mrs. Allis with him,
Mr.. Allis came to Milwaukee without
delay. He first conducted n leather store
at what is now 344 East Water street,
In company with William Allen. 1t was
In 1857 that he retired from the leather
trade and in 1860 that he began the
foundations of the great manufacturing
establishment which long before his
death had extended its business TO all
parts Of the world.
A Life of Cultivated Activity.
The culture and love of the beautiful
which Mr.. and Mrs. Allis brought with
them to Milwaukee were a benefit to the
young city. The wife had time to devote
to music and the study of pictorial art,
of which she was always a connoisseur.
1t was she who selected the costly and
beautiful paintings that made the Allis
home q veritable gallery Of art. Within
that home there reigned a generous and
charming hospitality. Yet notwithstand-
Ing the time and energy which she gave
to social and public interests, Mrs. Allis
was always a devoted mother.
Mrs. Allis was a charter member of
the Woman's Club of Wisconsin and an
earnest worker for the erection of the
Athenaeum, the first woman'S club house
in the United States. She helped to es
tabhsh the Wisconsin Industrial School
for Girls and the Wisconsin, Training
School for Nurses, and was one of the
organizers of the Unitarian church in this
city, and one of its earnest supporters.
On the list Of April, the anniversary of
her husbands death, she gave to the Mil
waukee University Settlement, in his
memory, the settlement house and
grounds, on First avenue. On her eight
eth birthday she gave the settlement
twenty acres of ground for their summer
camp on Lake Beulah. 1t was on This
land that the club house which IS the
summer home of people identified with
the settlement was built by her son,
Charles Allis.
Ten Surviving Children.
Mr.. and Mrs. Allis had twelve chill
dren, of whom ten survive-Willlam w.
Allis, Edward L. Allis, jr., of Mentone,
France; Charles Allis; Jere Allis; Mrs.
Eustace Conway, New York; Mrs. John
H. Keeling, London; Frank w Allis,
Madison; Louis Allis; Mrs. II. II. Norris;
Gilbert Allis, Paris. France. The chill
dren who died We're Ernest and Marcy.
Ernest was married to Miss Winston of
Louisville and IS survived by his widow
and daughter. Eustace Conway, who
married Miss Maud AIlis, is a son of
the late Moncure u. Conway, we'll
known in Europe and America as a Uni
tartan preacher and voluminous and
entertaining writer
William. Charles and Louis Allis car
ried on their fathers business after his
death. Mrs. AliS rendering valuable aid
and for a time spending a portion of each
day at the works. edward L. Allis, Jr.,
is known in scientific circles throughout
the world for his original researches in
the field of vertebrate morphology.
ASl- nl TO CIV a tn hn Hn1r u, ir,,
manufacturing suburb west of the city
i'll which the plant of the Allis-Chalmers
company was established, Mrs. Allis sug-
gested that it be called West Allis, and
the suggestion was adopted.
Mrs. Alis was in her usual health I'M
I'll the sudden stroke from which she
failed to rally.
Arrangements for the funeral have not
YET been perfected.