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Mary Celeste RAYNOR  (Alonzo, Joseph, Joseph ("Blind Joseph"), Joseph, Josiah, Joseph, Thurston, Edward Reyner, Robert Raynere) was born November 21, 1877 in Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois, the daughter of Alonzo and Lettie Lincoln RAYNOR.  They lived in Carbondale where her father owned a woolen mill. Mary, also known as "May", was a graduate of Southern Illinois Normal University.
 
 






13 March 1886  ~   May RAYNOR on the Honor Roll at East Side Primary School. [Carbondale Free Press] 
 


Mary Celeste Raynor (far left) with her classmates
Southern Illinois Normal University, Carbondale, Illinois (circa 1896)



23 October 1886  ~ May RAYNOR on the Honor Roll at East Side Primary School. [Carbondale Free Press] 
 





On October 29, 1902, Mary Celeste Raynor married Ralph Eugene ALLISON.  Ralph, the youngest of two sons of Franklin Alexander and Mary Neal ALLISON, was born July 11, 1876 in Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois. 

Mary Raynor and Ralph Allison were introduced to each other by Kate Chapman, Mary's best friend.

[Ref. Florence Allison LONG, their daughter]
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 


29 October 1902  ~   Marriage of May Celeste RAYNOR, age 24 of Carbondale and Ralph Eugene Allison of New Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama, machinist, age 26 in Carbondale.

[Carbondale Free Press]
 

CHRYSANTHEMUM WEDDING
Married in this city at the home of the bride's mother, Mrs. Lettie T. Raynor, at 12 o'clock P.M., Wednesday, October 29, Mr. Ralph Allison of New Decatur, Ala., and Miss Mary C. Raynor; Rev. Fred Thomson of the M. E. church (First Methodist Episcopal) officiating. 

They were attended by Miss Kate Chapman of this city and Mr. Frank Stewart of Murphysboro.  Little Miss Daisy Angell, dressed in white, ushered the wedding party, first untying the white ribbons on the folding doors, the party marching into  the strains of sweet music, played by Mrs. F. L. Thomson. 

The bride was tastefully attired in blue silk with white trimmings and carried a bouquet of white chrysanthemums.  The groom in the usual conventional black.  The house decorations were in white and green. 

The impressive ceremony was witnessed by about forty guests, who, after congratulations, were served to dainty refreshments.  Many elegant and useful gifts bespoke the love and esteem of numerous friends. 

After a brief visit to Chicago and St. Louis, the young people will leave for their southern home. 

[1902 Newspaper clipping found in Family Bible]
 

   Ralph Eugene and Mary Raynor ALLISON had four children: 

  • Ralph Ernest ALLISON was born August 27, 1903 in  Murphysboro, IL, and died of a heart attack on April 1, 1967 in St. Louis, Missouri.  He married Lee HOLLAND  August 11, 1951 in St. Louis, Missouri.  They had no children. 
  • Neal Raynor ALLISON was born July 18, 1906 in Murphysboro, IL, and died May  26, 1990. 
  • Frank Clifton ALLISON was born June 12, 1911 in Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois, and died  March 25, 1977 in Murphysboro, IL. 
  • Florence ALLISON was born July 14, 1914 in Murphysboro, IL. 
   At the time of their marriage, Ralph was employed in New Decatur, Alabama as a machinist for the L&N Railroad.  Mary must not have liked living so far away from her family, because by May of 1903, they were living in Murphysboro, Illinois where Ralph was employed as a Locomotive Machinist in charge of "road work" for the Mobile & Ohio (M&O) Railroad.  They were also awaiting the birth of their first son, and no doubt Mary and Ralph wanted to be close to both of their families.  This was also to be the first grandchild of Alonzo and Lettie Raynor. 

27 August 1903  ~ Thursday afternoon a young machinist arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Allison.  Although the young fellow did not have a union card Ralph had decided to let him stay as long as he wants to, and says he will carry a card some day, all right.  Mother and son are doing well.

[clipping found in Ralph Ernest Allison's baby book]
 

27 August 1910  ~  Saturday being the 7th birthday, Master Ralph  ALLISON (Jr.) entertained a few of his little friends in his gentlemanly way from 7:00 until 9:00 o'clock p. m.  Many childish games were played and with the assistance of Master Rayner [Uncle Ernie] they showed their moving pictures machine, after which refreshments, consisting of ice cream, variety cakes and lemonade.  His birthday cake was a ribbon cake with seven lighted candles on it decorated the center of the table.  The guests were:  Elouise CLARK, Robinson, IL; Elleita SHELEY, Lillian MILLHOUSE; Frank TINCH; John MILLHOUSE; Bernard SHELEY, Albert LAWYER, Piner REYNOLDS, Raynor and Ralph ALLISON.

[clipping found in Ralph Ernest Allison's baby book]
 

In 1911, Ralph applied for and received employment with the Isthmian Canal Commission, in Panama as a machinist.  On Saturday, May 13th at 10:00 am, he sailed from New Orleans, LA to the Isthmus of Panama.  He was hired as a "general machinist" and was to be paid $0.65 per hour at the U.S. currency rate.   He resigned on January 27, 1912 to return to his home in Murphysboro.  During the time he was in Panama, his third son, Frank Clifton Allison, was born on June 12, 1911.

Ralph & Mary lived in Murphysboro all of their married lives, with the exception of the short period they were in Alabama at the beginning of their marriage, and the period from 1927 - 1930,  when Ralph was forced into moving his family to Columbia, IL to find work. 

Ralph died May 4, 1950 in Anna, Union County, Illinois.  Mary died July 31, 1955 in Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois.


 
RALPH ALLISON, MACHINIST, DIES

      Ralph Eugene Allison, 73, 606 Chestnut Street, Murphysboro, died early today at the Anna State hospital.  The retired railroad machinist had been ill with paralysis and heart complications since early this year.

      A native and life-long resident of Murphysboro, Mr. Allison was married in Carbondale in October 1902 to Mary Raynor.  Besides his wife, he leaves three sons, Frank at home; DeWitt, New York City; and Ralph, St. Louis, MO; one daughter, Mrs. Florence Long, San Mateo, Calif.; and a sister, Elizabeth Hall, Birmingham, Ala.

      He was employed by the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and was a member of the International Association of Machinists.

      Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 P.M. at the First Lutheran Church, Murphysboro, Rev. William Boatman officiating.  Burial will be in Tower Grove Cemetery.  Friends may call at the Roberts Residence Funeral Home.

[1950 newspaper clipping found in Family bible]
 

 
MARY CELESTE ALLISON DIES

Funeral Services Tuesday for Murphysboro Resident

      Mrs. Mary C. Allison, 77 year old Murphysboro resident, died in the Tyler Nursing Home in Murphysboro early Sunday following an illness of three years.

      She was born in Carbondale in 1877, and had lived in Murphysboro since 1902.

      She was married in 1902 to Ralph Eugene Allison, who preceded her in death in 1950.

      Mrs. Allison leaves one daughter, Mrs. Florence Long of San Mateo, Calif., and sons Neal Raynor Allison of Long Island, N.Y., Ralph Allison of St. Louis and Frank Allison of Murphysboro.

      Mrs. Allison was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Murphysboro.

      Friends may call at the Roberts Residence Funeral Home in Murphysboro until services Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, the Rev. William Boatman officiating.  Burial will be at Tower Grove Cemetery.

[1955 newspaper clipping found in Family bible]
 


Transcriptions and photographs
submitted by
K. Allison, granddaughter of Mary and Ralph Allison
2003