| County Treasurer of Lake County, was born
in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, October 12, 1837, and is a son of Robert and
Mary (Simpson) Jamieson, also natives of that shire. He was educated in
the common schools of his native country, and in youth learned the trade
of a machinist, serving a regular apprenticeship of three years. In 1858
he emigrated to America, and worked at his trade in Toronto, Canada, for
about six months, then moved to Chicago and worked at his trade in that
city for a time. In October, 1859, he moved to Lake County, making his
home at Millburn, where he opened a shop and continued to work at his
trade until his election to the office of County Treasurer.
Soon after going to Millburn Mr. Jamieson
put machinery in a saw mill, which he afterwards purchased and operated
for about ten years, when he sold out. Politically, Mr. Jamieson is a
Republican, and has served his township in several local offices. He was
Assessor for some years, and Collector for two years. In the fall of
1890, he was elected to the office of County Treasurer for four years.
Mr. Jamieson was married in Chicago,
January 20, 1971, to Jane Meldrum, a daughter of William Jamieson. She
was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, August 8, 1853, and came to this
country with her parents when a child of two years of age. Six children
have been born unto them -- Lottie, Maggie, George, Libbie, Robert and
Jessie May, all of whom were born in Millburn. Mr. and Mrs. Jamieson are
members of the Congregatinal Church, and, socially, he is a member of
Antioch Lodge, No. 127, A. F. & A. M., and of Waukegan Post, No.
374, G. A. R.
Mr. Jamieson is a veteran of the late war
for the Union, and bears several scars received on the field of battle.
He enlisted April 22, 1861, on President Lincoln's first call for three
months' troops. He served the term of his enlistment as a member of
Company K, Twelfth Regiment Illinois Infantry. On the 12th of October of
the same year he re-enlisted in Company I, Forty-fifth Regiment Illinois
Infantry, and was promoted to Orderly Sargeant and took part in the
capture of Ft. Donelson, February 16, 1862, and in the battle of Shiloh,
on the 6th and 7th of April of the same year. He was wounded at Shiloh,
April 7, by a shot in the left side, and was sent to Jefferson Barracks,
Mo., where he remained until the following July, and was then granted a
furlough for thirty days. He rejoined his regiment in September, 1862,
and was again wounded in battle August 31, 1863, receiving two gunshot
wounds, one in the left leg and one in the left thigh. His wounds being
serious, he was confined to the hospital until March 15, 1864. Although
he had been discharged January 24 of that year, his condition was such
that he could not be moved sooner. He then went to Chicago, where he
remained until November, 1864, when he again enlisted, but not being
physically able to serve in the field, he was assigned to duty in the
Quartermaster's Department, and served until the close of the war, being
mustered out April 30, 1865. He then returned to his home in Millburn,
where he has since resided.
Mr. Jamieson's father died in 1883, at
the age of eighty-five years. His mother is still living and resides at
the old home in Scotland, being now eighty-three years old. Mr. Jamieson
has won his title to American citizenship by a brave defense of the
Union, and sealed his naturalizaion with his blood on the field of
battle. His fellow citizens have done well to recognize his patriotic
service by electing him to a county office for which his business
ability ably fits him. |
