Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 19-20

WILLIAM KIRK JAMESON, M.D., one of the leading physicians of Grant county, and a highly respected and prominent citizen of Muscoda, is a member of the G.A.R., having honorably served his country during the Civil war.

Dr. JAMESON was born at Glasgow, Scotland, March 4, 1836, the only child of Rev. James and Anna JAMESON, and was brought to the United States by his parents in 1844. The family resided in Albany, N.Y., where they first settled, until 1848, when they removed to Milwaukee, and Rev. Mr. JAMESON, who had been a clergyman in the Presbyterian Church, became identified with the Congregational Church in missionary work, preaching at various places in Wisconsin, including Albany, Magnolia, and Center, Rock county, establishing societies and erecting churches. During this time he became the owner of a fine farm in Rock county, which he obtained from the government, and greatly improved. In 1871 Mr. JAMESON removed to Muscoda, built a comfortable residence, and officiated as pastor of the Congregational Church there, remaining until 1876, in which year he located at Albany, Green county. There he resided until his death, in 1896, at the advanced age of ninety-four. Not only was Mr. JAMESON a man of more than average ability, but he had also enjoyed educational advantages not accorded to everyone, as he was a graduate of a theological school of Edinburgh, that great center of learning. United to his attainments and powers as an orator, he possessed that faculty of winning hearts and endearing himself to his people that made him invaluable as a worker and clergyman. Possessing a robust constitution he was untiring in his efforts, and continued in active work until after he had passed the fourscore milestone, upholding the principles for which he had lived and labored so long until the day of his death. Mrs. JAMESON died before her husband, passing away in 1886, at the age of eighty, and both will be long remembered by those who knew and loved them for their many estimable qualities.

Dr. JAMESON has proven himself a worthy son of these good people, to whose teachings and example he attributes his own success and integrity of purpose. While a boy he attended common school in the several places at which his father was located, and at eighteen he entered Beloit College. In 1858 he commenced study at Ann Arbor (Mich.) Medical College; and in Hudson, Wis., with Dr. Otis HOYT, at the breaking out of the Civil war; returned to Ann Arbor after the close of the war, graduating in 1866; and settled at Muscoda. In 1862, at the call of his country, Dr. JAMESON enlisted in Company A, 30th Wis. V. I. At Camp Randall, soon after his enlistment he was made hospital steward, in 1863 was appointed assistant surgeon of his regiment and continued to serve in that capacity until the close of the war. The greater portion of his time of service Dr. JAMESON spent on the frontier, his regiment being one of those stationed in the Indian service, and he was with Brig.-Gen. Sully in the Northwest until the spring of 1865. From Sioux Falls, Iowa, the regiment was ordered to Madison, Wis., and there honorably mustered out. Dr. JAMESON has continued to reside in Muscoda, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice.

On Dec. 3, 1855 Dr. JAMESON was married to Miss Julia PARSLOW, who died Oct. 12, 1882. Two daughters were born of this union: Ella, wife of Frank A. DAVID, a prominent merchant of Moscow, Idaho; and Alta, wife of H. R. SMITH, one of the leading attorneys of the same place. Within recent years Dr. JAMESON has made a visit to his daughters in their far Western homes, and is contemplating eventually locating in Moscow, in order to be near them.

In his political conviction, Mr. JAMESON is a Republican. He is a highly valued member of the G.A.R. post. Successful in his practice, honored by his associates, esteemed by his friends, and beloved by his family, Dr. JAMESON is a living proof that a good man and woman live on in their offspring, and that the world is not only bettered for their own lives, but by those who come after them.




This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck