Martin D. Hamilton Explained

Birth Name:Martinez Dama
Birth Date:1855
Birth Place:USA
Death Date:19 August 1922
Death Place:San Diego
Nationality:American
Acting Mayor of San Diego
Term:November 13, 1888 – May 6, 1889
Predecessor:William Jefferson Hunsaker
Successor:Douglas Gunn
Party:Republican

Martin Davis Hamilton (1855–1922) was an American Republican politician from San Diego, California. He served as acting Mayor of San Diego following the resignation of William Jefferson Hunsaker.

Military

Hamilton fought for the Union in the American Civil War, where he lost an arm. After the war, he was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic's Heintzelman Post No. 33.[1]

Elected office

Hamilton was active in San Diego local politics and was elected to several positions over time. Hamilton was a staunch republican and ran on the local party's "Citizen's Non-Partisan" ticket.[2] Hamilton's first elected to office was City Assessor, where he served from 1880 until 1885.[3]

On April 18, 1887, Hamilton was elected to the San Diego Board of Trustees. At the first meeting, the board voted to install Hamilton as president of the board.[4] At this time the president of the board was referred to as the Mayor of San Diego out of courtesy, though there was no official position of mayor at this time.[5] The office of the mayor was reinstated in 1888, and Hamilton continued in his role as president of the board of trustees. Following the resignation of Mayor William Jefferson Hunsaker on November 13, 1888, Hamilton was elevated to acting Mayor of San Diego until the next election could be held.[6]

References

  1. Sullivan. William. 100 Years Ago in San Diego. The Journal of San Diego History. Winter 1985. 31. 1. March 1, 2014. Thomas L.. Scharf.
  2. News: Citizen's Ticket. March 1, 2014. The San Diego Union. April 8, 1887.
  3. Book: Smythe, William. History of San Diego, 1542-1908: The modern city. 1907. History Co.. March 1, 2014. Appendix.
  4. News: The New Board Takes Office. March 1, 2014. The San Diego Union. April 19, 1887. 5.
  5. Book: Smythe, William. History of San Diego, 1542-1908: The modern city. 1907. History Co.. February 25, 2014. Part Five: Chapter II Political Affairs and Municipal Campaigns.
  6. News: The Mayor's Resignation. February 26, 2014. The San Diego Union. November 14, 1888. 5.