BIOGRAPHY: Jamison, James
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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     JAMES JAMISON.---Among the influential men of Northern Iowa, who 
have for nearly a quarter of a century been identified with the growth, 
progress and development of the state, there is perhaps none more worthy 
of favorable notice than the subject of this text, James Jamison, Esq., 
of Independence, who has by his own unaided industry and untiring energy 
arose to a prominent position among leading attorneys of Iowa. His 
native county was Armstrong, Pennsylvania, where he was born February 
14, 1828, and is consequently in his forty-eighth year. By the death of 
his father, which occured when he was about two years of age, he was 
left practically an orphan. His mother having one other small child to 
support, with  little or no means, soon found the task too much for her 
enfeebled strength, and so gave young James to an uncle who took charge 
of him until he was eighteen, keeping him busy on the farm most of the 
year, but allowing him the limited educational advantages afforded by 
the common county school for a few months each winter.  Though making 
but slow progress with his studies, he acquired physical maturity and 
mental strength that enabled him to make rapid and efficient progress 
when suitable opportunity was afforded. He, however made the best 
possible use of every advantage and was thus able to commence teaching 
when he was eighteen, which he continued every Winter, studying during 
the Summer until Fall of 1850, when he entered Alleghany College, at 
Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he remained for two years, pursuing his 
studies with marked ability, and supporting himself entirely by his own 
earnings. He then commenced reading law under the direction of Honorable 
David Derickson, making such progress that he was admitted to the bar at 
Meadville, Pennsylvania, Aug 18, 1853. In the following September he 
took a trip West, and being well pleased with Independence, Iowa, he 
determined to locate. Securing an office, he at once entered earnestly 
into the practice of his profession, and soon met with that success 
which industry and ability are certain to secure. For years he has stood 
at the head of the bar in Buchanan County, conducting a large and 
lucrative law practice, besides successfully managing an extensive real 
estate business. 
     Politically, Mr. Jamison  has always been a Democrat from 
principle, though never taking an active part in the strifes incident to 
political campaigns, and never seeking office or preferment, though 
often urged to do so by his numerous friends who would feel it an honor 
to have an opportunity of working  for his election. Though never having 
been caught in the meshes of matrimony, he is, however, a frank, large 
hearted, generous man, who has rendered material aid in developing and 
improving his adopted town and county. Public enterprises, and weak 
schemes which promise general good, always receive from him a cheerful 
support.