Michael Morrison Allison was born in Rising Fawn, Dade County, Georgia, on July 10, 1865, into a family of eight. Mike, as he was known, didn't wait long to move to the metropolis of South Pittsburg, where he married Augusta Downing, the daughter of U.S. Army Maj. Edward Downing, who laid out the town of South Pittsburg.

Judge Allison was admitted to the bar of the State of Tennessee in 1887, having graduated from Southern Normal University, with a B.A. degree and an LL.B. He started his political career when he was named back-tax collector for Marion County. He then went on to become mayor of South Pittsburg, but then aspired to a judgeship in Hamilton County. That district was composed of Hamilton, Marion and Franklin counties. When Judge Allison tossed his hat in the ring, the largest county, Hamilton, had three favorites but could not agree on one. So, Franklin and Marion joined with part of Hamilton, and Judge Allison became a Circuit judge on Sept. 1, 1903.

Judge Allison's biggest accomplishment, however, was being the sole president of the Dixie Highway Association, the turnpike which stretched from Michigan to Miami. The Dixie Highway is still remembered by current day signposts along its route marking segments of its existence. It is remarkable not only for being the third interstate throughway, but also for being the first North-South throughway, the first two having been the Lincoln and Lee, which went east to west. Remnants of the Lee still exist in Chattanooga. Because of the support of the Chattanooga Auto Club and the fact that Chattanooga was Judge Allison's hometown, the headquarters of the Dixie was in Chattanooga.

The Memorial Marker for Judge Allison and The Dixie Highway is at 35° 10.948′ N, 85° 25.889′, Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Marion County. Marker is on Tennessee Route 27 north of Coppinger Road, on the right when traveling north.