Bio of JAMISON, Judge Robert (b.1858), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol II, pg 34-37
JUDGE ROBERT JAMISON
Judge Robert Jamison, legist and jurist of Minneapolis, died April 21, 1922. He
was then in the sixty-fourth year of his age, his birth having occurred in Red
Wing, Minnesota, on the 4th of September, 1858. He was a son of Alexander and
Mary (Roberts) Jamison, who were natives of the north of Ireland and had
established their home in Red Wing in 1857, the year before the admission of the
state into the Union. In his youthful days Judge Jamison was a pupil in the
public schools of his native city, while later he pursued an academic course in
the University of Minnesota, being numbered among its alumni of 1880. During his
college days he became a member of the Chi Psi fraternity. Following the
completion of his literary course he decided upon the practice of law as a life
work and became a student in the office and under the direction of Judge J. M.
Shaw, who remained his preceptor until his admission to the bar in 1883. He at
once entered upon active practice, and while advancement in the law is
proverbially slow, he steadily progressed and in 1886 was appointed to the
position of assistant attorney of Hennepin county, in which connection he won
much more than local fame through the prosecution of Peter and Tim Barrett,
brothers, who were convicted of murder. In 1888 he was elected county attorney
and filled the position for two years. He then resumed the private practice of
law, in which he continued successfully until the 19th of September, 1893, when
he was appointed district judge to fill out the unexpired term of Judge
Frederick Hooker, deceased. The following year he was elected for the regular
term of six years and served with distinction on the bench until 1898, when he
resigned to reenter private practice. His record as a jurist was in harmony with
his record as a man and lawyer, being distinguished by marked fidelity to duty
and a masterful grasp of every problem presented for solution, his decisions
being at all times strictly fair and impartial. When he again took up private
practice he became associated with Judge H. C. Belden and N. F. Hawley in the
firm of Belden, Hawley & Jamison. The years brought changes in the partnership,
leading to the adoption of the firm style of Belden, Jamison & Sheared, and when
finally that firm was dissolved Judge Frank C. Brooks joined Judge Jamison in a
partnership relation under the style of Brooks & Jamison. Following the demise
of the senior partner, Judge Jamison became senior member of the firm of
Jamison, Stinchfield & Mackall in 1918 and thus practiced until his demise. He
was devotedly attached to his profession, systematic and methodical in habit,
sober and discreet in judgment, calm in temper, diligent in research and
conscientious in the discharge of every duty. Moreover, he was courteous and
kind in demeanor and inflexibly just on all occasions, so that these qualities
enabled him to take first rank among those who have held high judicial office in
the state. In addition to his law practice he had business interests of
importance, becoming vice president and one of the directors of the John F.
Sinclair Investment Company and a director of the St. Anthony Falls Bank.
On the 15th of August, 1884, Judge Jamison was married to Miss Adaline L. Camp
of Minneapolis, a daughter of Asa and Harriett (Luce) Camp, who were natives of
Vermont and came to this city in 1872, the father becoming senior partner in the
firm of Camp, Douglas & Gold, prominently associated with mercantile interests
in the city for many years. Judge and Mrs. Jamison. became the parents of three
children: Neil C., who is living in Everett, Washington; Mrs. G. C. Viles of
Chicago; and Mrs. Henry C. Mackall of Minneapolis.
Judge Jamison had long figured prominently in connection with public affairs. He
was the president of the old Minneapolis Commercial Club, belonged to the
Minneapolis Athletic Club and to the Lafayette Club, while in his fraternal
connections he was both a Mason and an Elk. Outside of the strict path of his
profession he was perhaps most widely known through his political activity, for
from early manhood he took a deep interest in politics and became one of the
recognized leaders of the republican party in the state. In 1892 he was chosen
chairman of the state central committee and managed the first campaign in
connection with the election of Knute Nelson as governor. In 1900 he again was
active in the state campaign when S. R. Van Sant was elected chief executive the
first time, and he became his secretary and chief adviser, being closely
associated with the governor in the management of affairs of the commonwealth.
He also acted as state chairman of the campaign of 1902, after which he resigned
in order to devote his entire time to law practice. The bent of his active mind
made him take a lively pleasure in the study of the science of government.
Although he held but few political offices and those for but a short time, and
while upon the bench carefully lifted the judicial ermine above the mire of
partyism, he was a more active and efficient politician than many who have
devoted their undivided time to public affairs and who have attained far greater
political distinction than ever fell to him. A vigilant and attentive observer
of men and measures, he discussed in a convincing way from the platform and
through the press many of the great public questions which were agitated during
his time and his clear and logical reasoning always carried conviction with it.