Don Allison, a veteran journalist and author, is a lifelong resident of Williams County, Ohio, where he shares a historic home with his wife, Diane. A 1976 graduate of Stryker High School, Don earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Toledo in 1980.
As a high school student Don got his start in journalism as a sports writer and photographer with the weekly Advance Reporter newspaper, now known as the Village Reporter. He joined The Bryan Times in 1981, where he served many years as news editor and recently retired as senior editor. He has received numerous Associated Press and United Press International awards for his news, feature and column writing and special section design. Even in retirement, Don’s weekly column “On My Mind” continues to be a Bryan Times fixture.
Drawing on knowledge gained from a lifetime of studying the Civil War, Don has written extensively about that conflict. He and Diane are the founders of Faded Banner Publications, which publishes books on the Civil War and Northwest Ohio history, as well as the paranormal. Currently Don is co-authoring, with fellow Northwest Ohio historian Richard Cooley, a book on the 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War.
For nearly four decades Don has served on the Williams County, Ohio, Historical Society Board of Trustees, and through the years he has held various offices with the organization. He spearheaded the successful effort in which the society acquired and preserved the 1845 Society of Friends Meeting House in western Williams County. Don also is a founding member and past trustee and officer of the Stryker Area Heritage Council. Currently Don serves as a historical interpreter with Sauder Village, Archbold, Ohio.
Don’s previous books include “I Met a Ghost at Gettysburg: A Journalist’s Journey Into the Paranormal,” “I Met More Ghosts at Gettysburg: A Journalist’s Paranormal Journey Continues,” “Hell on Belle Isle: Diary of a Civil War POW,” “The Best of On My Mind: The Bryan Times Newspaper Columns of Don Allison” and “Almost Award Winning Christmas Carols: Holiday Hilarity.” Each is available for $16.95 plus $3.50 shipping and handling from Faded Banner Publications, PO Box 101, Bryan, OH 43506. Order online at www.fadedbanner.com.
