Biographical Sketches
WILLIAM T. JAMISON
The bar of Kansas City numbers many eminent members, and in almost every case inquiry would reveal that these are men who unaided worked their way upward. Thorough application, extensive research and persistent labor, in analyzation of character will be found as the elements which have entered into their success. These qualities are possessed in no small degree by the gentleman whose name introduces this biographical notice, and with a singleness of purpose he has devoted himself to his chosen calling. He is yet a young man, but has already gained a high standing at the bar, and with a laudable ambition will continue his progress while he remains a member of the profession.
Mr. Jamison was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1858, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth Jamison, who still reside in that county. His grandparents were all of Scotch-Irish lineage, and were descendants of early settlers of Washington county, except the paternal grandmother, who was a Virginian. The bravery and indomitable will power characteristic of those who defended their country and their homes from devastation at the hand of the Indian was shared by them, as were the dangers and hardships.
William Jamison was reared upon his father's farm, remaining an inmate of the parental home until his 20th year. He had during this time attended the common schools through the winter season and with this preparation now began teaching school, which profession he followed with excellent success for a number of terms. He afterward attended Washington and Jefferson College and subsequently entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, at which institution he was graduated with the law class of 1884, having earned every dollar expended for his schooling.
On leaving the university Mr. Jamison resumed his former vocation of teaching, while determining upon a point at which to begin the practice of law. He continued his work as a successful educator for nearly 2 years and during that time was admitted to the bar in the city of Wheeling, West Virginia, but did not begin practice there. His attention being attracted toward Kansas City, Missouri, he became impressed with its advantages, and on the 6th of April, 1886, he took up his residence here and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, having an office with Judge L. C. Slavens until December, 1890, when he entered into a partnership for the practice of law with Judge Slavens and Wilbur F. Spottswood, Esq.,under the firm name of Slavens, Spottswood & Jamison. Our subject attended strictly to his professional duties, refusing to take any active part in politics until the spring of 1894, when he was elected a member of the lower house of the common council of his city, upon the convening of which house he was unanimously chosen speaker. In September of the same year he was made the nominee upon the republican ticket for the office of prosecuting attorney for Jackson county, to which office at the November election of that year he was elected, but by a most daring forgery of the election returns he was prevented from taking his office until February 8, 1895, when after a persistent fight in the courts he secured his rights and upon that date entered upon the duties of his office. At the same time he retired from the law firm and resigned his position in the council. When he entered upon his duties as prosecuting attorney one of the first duties demanding his attention was the prosecution of offenders against the election laws in the recent election, and this work he carried forward fearlessly and without regard to party affiliations.
Mr. Jamison is a republican in politics, but not a strong partisan, and while a Methodist in religion is at all times tolerant toward those who do not agree with him. Shortly before coming to Kansas City, Mr. Jamison was married to Miss Annie M., daughter of the late Laken Whitely, a substantial citizen of Washington county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Jamison accompanied her husband to his new field, where their future home was established. They have one child, Howard L., an interesting lad 8 years old, of whom his parents are justly proud.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.