Robert Jemison, Jr. was one of the most prominent, wealthy and powerful citizens in Alabama and in Tuscaloosa’s early days of development. More than just a plantation and land owner, Jemison was a lawyer, politician, industrialist, civic leader and exceptional individual in many aspects of life.

          Robert Jemison first came to Tuscaloosa in 1822 at the age of twenty. Early accounts show that he was born in about 1802 in Lincoln County, Georgia. Except for some time spent in Pickens County, Jemison made Tuscaloosa his permanent home after 1836. Early in his career, he began to buy land, eventually owning over 10,000 acres. His principal plantation was called Cherokee, which had an exceptional production of corn, oats, cotton and livestock. Building on this agricultural success, he soon expanded his interests to transportation, business, industry and land, owning at one time six plantations.

          Jemison developed and operated a stagecoach line which he merged with other similar interests to expand the system into north and central Alabama. Jemison also envisioned early the impact and use of railroads but was not able to secure rail lines during his lifetime as part of his holdings. He did build a road, on which he placed tolls, to service his coal mines in the Brookwood area; and then entered the iron industry to develop Cheaha Creek Foundry in Talladega County.

          While Jemison was developing early economic successes, he decided to enter public service and the political arena. Early on he foresaw that if the proposed Alabama Insane Hospital (now Bryce Hospital) came to Tuscaloosa, it would lift the community economically, especially since the State Capital had been moved to Montgomery. As a State Senator, Jemison steered the decision to name Tuscaloosa as the new home of the hospital. Thus, one of the largest, most modern mental health hospitals in the United States at that time was built, providing hundreds of construction jobs and work for over a decade as well as the permanent employment that followed.

          Jemison was a man of great energy and drive. While successfully managing multiple business interests, he found time for public service. Between 1840 and 1850, he served seven years in the Alabama House of Representatives, and served in the State Senate from 1851 until 1863. Among his achievements as a legislator was putting the state’s finances in order after the failure of the State Bank. As Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Jemison successfully provided a careful analysis of the bank and the state’s finances resulting in a revenue system and financial plan that stayed in place for many years.

          Jemison’s influence and leadership were felt in many other diverse ways. Jemison worked closely with two free blacks, Horace King and Solomon Perteet, who had learned construction and were involved in several building projects, including construction of the bridge over the Black Warrior River. A key reason that King and Perteet were both successful, even in the face of social and political bonds that held the rest of their race, was Robert Jemison. Even though Jemison did own slaves, he led the opposition to Alabama’s secession in 1861.

          In one history book on Alabama, the author says that “among the citizens of Tuskaloosa, Robert Jemison stood like Saul among the children of Kish—a head and shoulders above his brethren.” This high description was based on Jemison’s ability and solid accomplishments in business and politics. One of his legacies is the Jemison Mansion, which was built with lumber from Jemison’s own sawmills and designed by an architect from Philadelphia. It had its own waterworks system, was lighted by gas, and had twenty-six rooms and two conservatories. Today, it sits on Greensboro Avenue as a wonderful reminder of the early history of Tuscaloosa.

          Robert Jemison died at his home in Tuscaloosa on October 17, 1871. A mass memorial service was held at the county courthouse with citizens from throughout the state in attendance. His legacy is one of economic, cultural and political leadership in the early days of Tuscaloosa, with relatives who continued to make an impact on the community’s development. For example, it was Robert Jemison’s nephew, William Carlos Jemison, who picked up where his uncle left off and continued leadership in business and economic development. He established the Allen & Jemison Hardware, at one time the largest hardware store in Alabama, as well as served as Mayor of Tuscaloosa in the 1880s.

Excerpt from: “Robert Jemison, Jr.—Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame Nomination”

On April 26, 2005, Robert Jemison was inducted into the 2005 Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame. Each year the Chamber of Commerce bestows this honor on nominees selected from persons nominated by Chamber of Commerce members. This biography was offered in support of the Jemison nomination.