The Jamieson Family of Warren, Pennsylvania

The Jamieson family in America is of direct Scotch descent. Though many generations separate the members of the American branch from their kinsmen in Bonny Scotland, they still retain an inherent love for the land of their forefathers, and have also inherited the noted Scotch clannishness.

The first of the family to cross the Atlantic in search of religious and political liberty was John Jamieson, who came over about the year 1724, and located in the colony now known as the state of New York. He appears to have been of a wandering nature as he soon afterward went to the Berkshire Hills, Massachusetts, and later removed to Manhattan Island, New York. He was here joined by his cousin, Ailsie Jamieson, and they were married immediately after her arrival. Several children were born of this union, among them:

1. John (2) Jamieson, who, following the trend of the times, and being imbued with the pioneer spirit, which Thomas Jefferson said (many years afterward) would be the making, and cause the extension, of the United States (at that time the American Colonies of the English Crown), went farther westward and located in Wyoming, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. His name, or that of his son John, appears in the list of soldiers, July 3, 1778, who were led by Colonel Zebulon Butler and Colonel Nathan Denison in their historical battle with the British, the Tories and the Indians. Son:
   1. John Jamieson.

The Jamiesons early acquiring a competence (in each family) were among the few Americans who, after the revolutionary war, visited the “Auld Countree” frequently, thus keeping in touch with their trans-Atlantic relatives.

(I) John Jamieson

John Jamieson, one of the above-mentioned, became interested in the mills of Paisley, Scotland, during a visit, there married and settled for the time. He was the father of a large family of children, the majority of whom, from time to time, deserted the ancestral home in Scotland and came to the United States. Among his numerous children was:

1. Hugh Jamieson, of whom further.

(II) Hugh Jamieson

Hugh, son of John Jamieson, was born in Scotland, married Jeannette, in 1823, emigrated from Paisley, Scotland, in 1824, to Hudson-on-the-Hudson, New York, and removed later to Berkshire Hills. During his residence in Berkshire Hills he had charge of the weaving department of the large cotton factories of that place, introducing the latest and most approved European methods of weaving cotton cloths. In the fall of 1843, following in the footsteps of his progenitors, he removed to Pennsylvania, settling in Sugar Grove, Warren county. Here he entered the employ of D. K. Grandin. Retiring from active business life, his latter years were peacefully spent on a farm in Sugar Grove. He was an ardent Presbyterian, as was his good wife Jeannette, and to the end of their days they were both devoted to the “kirk.” He died, after a useful life, well and worthily spent, at the ripe old age of ninety-eight; while his wife passed away at the age of eighty-eight years. Hugh and Jeannette Jamieson were the parents of several children, among whom was:

1. Hugh A. Jamieson, of whom further.

(III) Hugh A. Jamieson

Hugh A., son of Hugh Jamieson, was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, May 31, 1835. With his parents, sisters and brothers he removed to Sugar Grove, Warren county, Pennsylvania, in 1843. He received a common school education, such as was obtainable at that time, but being ambitious and a close student he fitted himself to teach. He taught three winters, the last in Jamestown, New York. In the spring of 1857 he returned to Sugar Grove. Buying out the business interests of Mark Wilson, he formed a partnership with Isaac N. Tider. His business acumen was so pronounced, coupled with his legal knowledge, that he excited universal favorable comment. He was persuaded to study law. He severed his connection with Mr. Tider in 1859, and entered the law office of Johnson & Brown. He was admitted to the bar in 1861. His former interest in commercial life still clung to him, and while practicing his profession he accumulated a large number of business interests. These becoming so financially important and needing his undivided attention, he gave up his legal practice to engage in strictly commercial enterprises. Years before his death he had accumulated a fortune. He successfully established the largest hardware business in Warren county. He was a director and president of the Citizens’ National Bank of Warren county. He was an active worker for the Warren Library Association, contending that the reading of books was absolutely essential for the growth and cultivation of the mind and for enlarging a man’s outlook on life. He was a loyal Republican, always voting with his party, and was elected burgess of the town in 1882. His religious affiliations, like those of his parents, were with the Presbyterian church. He married (first) Julia Crane. His second marriage was to Rhoda Hall, now deceased.

To Hugh A. and Julia (Crane) Jamieson were born four sons:

1. Hugh Jamieson, dying in infancy.
2. Frank Jamieson, dying in infancy.
3. Mark W. Jamieson.
4. Charles Wetmore Jamieson, of whom further.

(IV) Charles Wetmore Jamieson

Charles Wetmore, son of Hugh A. and Julia (Crane) Jamieson, was born in Warren, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1867, died July 6, 1912. He was reared in the west under the judicious direction of his mother, and graduated from the public schools and Grinnell College. He returned to his native city about 1895, where he at once entered into business, connecting himself with the Warren Refining Company, in conjunction with his father, Hugh A. Jamieson. He continued a member of the company until the time of his demise. He also engaged in other business enterprises, notably among which were the Floridin Company, of Warren; the Abbott Motor Company, of Detroit, Michigan; in both of which he was serving as president at the time of his untimely taking off. In 1909 Mr. Jamieson succeeded the late Perry D. Clark as president of the First National Bank, and was acting in that capacity at the time of his death. He was a director of the Corn-Planter Refining Company, and of the Riverside Acid Works. For years he was in the forefront of every progressive movement, church, municipal, state and personal business, and was characterized by his fellow townsmen as one of the leading men of his city and section. He was an active member of Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, and to it was always generous, loyal and helpful. It was largely through his personal efforts that the Brotherhood of St. Andrews was organized, he serving as president, which has been an invaluable aid to the church. He was a constant attendant at the meetings and its staunch supporter. He was a liberal contributor to the Young Men’s Christian Association, and was for years president of the local branch of that institution, and was thrice elected member of the state committee. He later resigned the presidency, but retained his position on the board of directors. He established in Warren a high standard of truth and right living, and wielded a powerful and beneficent influence on those with whom he came in daily contact during his life, and this influence will continue for all time, for such an influence does not die with the man. In his death Warren lost one of its foremost, most appreciated and best known citizens. He was of more than local fame as he was a great captain of industry, one who built well and wisely, not for himself alone, but for those around him and for those who come after him. It can be truthfully said of him that the world is better for his having lived in it.

He married (first) in 1894, in Des Moines, Iowa, Lily L. Yoder, a classmate, who died in 1901. On April 13, 1903, he married (second) Wilhelmina D. Schnur. Mrs. Wilhelmina D. (Schnur) Jamieson is of colonial and revolutionary stock. Her ancestors fought the battles of the colonists against the Indians, helped to conquer the wilderness, and aligned themselves on the side of the continental army in its struggle for independence from England. She is one of the leading members of the General Joseph Warren Chapter, No. 950, of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her national membership is No. 84106. She is a prominent member of Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, where she in a measure tries to sustain the work of her husband.

See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved.