JAMES T. DEMPSTER
[JAMES TERRY
"JIM" DEMPSTER
1870--1963]
------
James T. Dempster was born in Joliet, Illinois, and came
to Hamilton at the age of seven years to settle at Gentry’s Mill with
his parents. Finishing his public school education, he went into business.
He had seen the village of Hamilton grow into a thriving industrious town.
He was employed by the Williams Drug Co. for seven and a half years. In
1898 "Jim" volunteered to serve in the Spanish-American War. He
was stationed in Florida and served seven months before being
"mustered out."
In 1905 he was married to Bertha Brown who was born and
reared in Hamilton County. They have four children: Brown; James, Jr.; Jo,
and Louise.
After Mr. Dempster’s discharge from the army he
returned to Hamilton and entered the office of Deputy Clerk which he held
for eight years. He was elected County Clerk in 1906 without opposition.
He then withdrew from the office to farm and did not return until 1914. He
then served 4 yeas to return to the office in 1914. He served 6 years in
succession and then was defeated. But he returned in 1933. You can’t
keep a good man down. In all probability he knows more about the county
records than any other man in the court house.
The Hamilton County News, Vol. IV, Number
11--Section Two
Historical and Trading Expansion Issue
W. F. Billingslea, Editor-Publisher
Subscription Price ONE YEAR ..$1.00
June 29, 1934
