WILLIAM B. HAMILTON

Sacramento County

Biographies

WILLIAM B. HAMILTON

WILLIAMM B. HAMILTON. Of mingled Scotch and English parentage, Mr. Hamilton was born in England in 1848. While he was less than one year old the family crossed the ocean to the United States, landing at New Orleans. Upon hearing of the discovery of gold in California, the father came to the Pacific coast with other Argonauts, and while he was investigating conditions in the far west the mother and children remained with friends in Kentucky and Ohio. Upon deciding to settle permanently in California, the father sent for his family, who made the journey via the Nicaragua route and joined him at American Flat, Eldorado county. From 1853 until 1856 William B. Hamilton made his home in that place, and at the age of eight years accompanied his parents to Sacramento, where since he has become a prominent resident.

Among the most vivid recollections of Mr. Hamilton’s childhood are of the three years spent at American Flat, where the conditions were novel and interesting to him. On every hand were the miners, sacrificing all else in their eager search for gold. White women and children were few in number; hence “Billy” (as he was called) was a general favorite with everyone, and his sturdy, independent ways brought him into general notice. Several tribes of Indians still remained in the vicinity, and one of these tribes was headed by a chief named Coppa-Hembo (meaning bear-slayer), whose powerful clan dwelt in the foothills of the Sierras. One day Coppa-Hembo’s tribe become engaged in a dispute with another tribe and began to fight near American Flat, ranging on opposite sides of the mountain. Arrows and bullets began to fly thick and fast. Little “Billy,” with the curiosity of boyhood, ran to the spot to see the fight and stayed to watch the combatants, although warned away by the savages, who knew and liked him. In a lull of the battle Coppa-Hembo sprang upon a pine stump and began by earnest pleading to attempt to pacify the opposing tribe, but in the midst of his speech an arrow whistled across the gulch and pierced his thigh, bringing him to the ground. The boy at once sprang to him and attempted to help him, although in great peril of his own life. This put an end to the battle, for the Indians knew that if any harm came to the child, there would be a terrible revenge upon the part of the white men. In later years Coppa-Hembo’s tribe was almost wholly wiped out by the same causes that have almost exterminated other tribes all over the country, but he and his squaw continued to live among their native canons (sic) in humble style, and every year the old chief, his once gigantic frame bowed by age, was accustomed to come to Sacramento, where he and Mr. Hamilton renewed old memories as they sat in the restaurant enjoying a dinner prepared especially to tempt the appetite of the aged chief.

Being only eight years of age when he came to Sacramento, Mr. Hamilton received his education almost wholly in the schools of this city, and after completing the studies of local schools he entered the law office of Coffroth & Spaulding, whose names are indissolubly associated with the pioneer history of this portion of California. While he was prosecuting the study of law under the advice of these eminent attorneys, his plans were changed by the death of Mr. Coffroth in 1874, which forced him to seek some means of earning a livelihood. Under Judge W. R. Cantwell he was appointed clerk of the police court. Upon the expiration of his term, in 1876, he was appointed deputy county clerk under A. A. Wood, and this position he continued to hold under Col. T. H. Berkey and C. M. Coglan. By this long apprenticeship he became admirably qualified for the clerkship. In 1884 he received the nomination upon the Republican ticket and was elected by thirteen hundred and one majority. Upon the expiration of his first term, in 1886, he was nominated as the unanimous choice of his party and received a plurality of three thousand votes. Again, in 1889, he was nominated without opposition and received the flattering majority of twenty-one hundred and four votes. The repeated election to the office with excellent majorities is sufficient proof of his popularity among the people, as well as of his prominence in the Republican party, to which he is a stanch adherent.

In the midst of an active, busy life, characterized by intense devotion to duty, Mr. Hamilton has found leisure to enjoy his favorite recreation of field sport, and for some time acted as president of the Forester Gun Club of Sacramento. Besides being a Mason of high standing and a warm believer in the principles of this ancient order, he affiliates with the Improved Order of Red Men and Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Transcribed by Louise E. Shoemaker, November 12, 2007.

Source: “History of the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley, California” by J. M. Guinn. Pages 1706-1707. Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1906.