Biography - Alfred Jamison
ALFRED
JAMISON. The citizens of Shelby County, who came here during the early
history of this section and established themselves in what were then little
villages and hamlets, have been active factors in the development and
progress of the county. Mr. Jamison having been a resident of Oconee for
more than twenty-five years, has made his mark upon the social and business
interests of the place, and as an influential citizen we are pleased to
present his portrait and biography to our readers.
Mr. Jamison, who is a dealer in hay, coal, lumber and livestock at Oconee,
was born in Monmouth County. N. J., February 17, 1814. His father, Joseph, a
son of Jacob and Rebecca Jamison, was born October 2, 1781 in the same
county. His mother was also a native there, and was born February 14, 1787,
both she and her husband born near the historic battlefield of Monmouth. The
children who gathered about this worthy couple were five sons and six
daughters, as follows: Jacob J., born May 28, 1803; Abram B., November 18,
1804; Rebecca, November 30, 1806; Hannah, September 27, 1808; Joseph,
December 7, 1810; Isaac, April 25, 1812; Lydia Ann, April 1, 1814; Mary,
November 15, 1815; Sarah, March 23, 1818; Elizabeth, February 23, 1821; and
the subject of our sketch, who was the youngest of the family. Of this large
household, only Isaac, Mary, Sarah, Elizabeth and Alfred remain in this
earthly life.
Mr. Jamison received his education in the public schools of New Jersey, and
when about sixteen years of age, he left the parental roof and went into the
world for himself, first going to New York City, where he obtained a
situation in a dry-goods store as a clerk. He continued in that position
about five years, and then having accumulated a little money, returned to
his native State and went into business, in which he had a one-fourth
interest, establishing a general store at Cedar Creek. Here he continued for
about two years, and then in 1849, having a serious attack of the "gold
fever," he went to California by the way of the Strait of Magellan, and
remained in the "Sunset State" for some time, occupying four years in the
whole trip.
Having been reasonably successful in his western venture, the young man
returned to New York City, and engaged in the pork-packing business, which
he carried on for fifteen years, but in the Spring of 1865 he closed out his
concern there and came to Shelby County, locating at Oconee, where he has
ever since resided. His marriage to Miss Gertrude Ellen Hegeman took place
in New York City, April 5, 1853. This lady was born April 13, 1837, upon
Long Island. N. Y.
On arriving in Illinois, Mr. Jamison invested his means in real estate and
milling, and had the misfortune to lose two mills by fire, but has continued
in the real-estate business ever since coming West, in which he has been
very successful. On locating here he purchased fifteen hundred acres of
timber land, which he cleared up and worked the timber into lumber. He has
been active in business all his lifetime, and still continues with unabated
power to actively control his own affairs, although he is nearing the limits
of three-score years and ten.
To Mr. and Mrs. Jamison have been born the following children: Alonzo, born
June 10, 1854; Alfred M., July 1, 1855; Emma Laur, May 28, 1858; Sarah
Elizabeth, February 5, 1860; Brackett Badger, January 18, 1862; Harry
Alonzo, January 9, 1864; Hattie H., March 22, 1865; Francis Richmond,
October 12, 1867: Robert Hegeman, March 3, 1869; Grace Gertrude, June 2,
1871; Joseph Stokes, September 5, 1873; and Archibald Shelton, February 21,
1879. The six oldest are natives of New York City, and the younger members
of the family were born in Oconee.
The gentleman, whose life history we are here briefly sketching has been a
life-long Democrat, and has always a lively interest in national, State and
local politics. He is well read and broad in his views and keeps himself
thoroughly informed in regard to public affairs, he is a member of Oconee
Lodge, F. & A. M., and carries insurance in the Masonic Benevolent Society
of Chicago. He was first made a Mason by Naval Lodge, No. 69, in the State
of New York, in 1855, and was demitted from that to Oconee Lodge in 1873.
Religiously the family may be considered as extremely liberal and strongly
opposed to contention over the orthodox creed. The value of their lives and
their work in this community can hardly be estimated, as they have ever been
active in promoting the best interests of the neighborhood, and have been
liberal in their means in forwarding ail movements looking to the material
and social progress of Oconee.
Extracted 13 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 448-450.
