Jo Hamilton (April 7, 1827 – August 4, 1904) was a California lawyer and politician who served as Attorney General of California from 1867 to 1871 and again from 1875 to 1880.[1] He also served as Trustee of the State Library, 1874–82.
Hamilton was born in Barren County, Kentucky[2] and came to California in 1859 after being admitted to the bar in Georgia.[3][4][5] Upon his arrival in California, Hamilton worked in the mines for a short time and initially practiced law at Yankee Jims, California.[5] A pioneering lawyer of Placer County, California, Hamilton served as District Attorney in 1860 and again 1862. He was listed as a leading Democrat of California and was one of the best known lawyers of his time.[6] After retiring, he continued to practice law in Auburn, Placer County.[7] Jo Hamilton died at his home in Auburn on August 4, 1904.[8][4]
Hamilton was married in 1849 to Nancy Blair, a native of Tennessee. They had five children. His wife, Nancy Hamilton, died just over a month following his death, on September 20, 1904.[3] His son, George W. Hamilton, was a member of the California State Assembly for Placer County from 1893 to 1895.[5]