Submitted by JC Knowles; Edited and vetted by Cheri Todd Molter
In 1837, Hamilton Chamberlain Jones Jr. was born to Ann Eliza Henderson and Hamilton Jones near Salisbury, North Carolina. He received his education at the Ben Sumner School in Rowan County. He studied law at the University of North Carolina and graduated with second honors in 1858. When he returned to Salisbury, he continued his study of law under his father and was admitted to the bar in 1860.
During the spring of 1861, Jones was first lieutenant of the Rowan Rifle Guard and went with his company to occupy Fort Johnson. After North Carolina officially left the Union, Governor John Ellis appointed Jones captain of Company K of the Fifth North Carolina Regiment.
On May 5, 1862, Jones was wounded at Williamsburg, Virginia, and while on leave to rest and recover, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to the Fifty-seventh North Carolina Infantry. Under Jones’ leadership, the regiment fought at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. He was taken prisoner at the Rappahannock bridge on November 7, 1863. He was confined at Old Capital Prison, Washington, D. C., and later held at the prison at Johnson’s Island, Ohio. During a prisoner exchange, Jones was released and, after rejoining the 57th, was promoted Colonel. He was wounded again during the fighting at Fort Stedman, Virginia, on March 25, 1865.
After the war, Jones returned home to Salisbury and practiced law. He formed a partnership with General Robert D. Johnston that lasted about twenty years. In 1869, Jones was appointed to serve an unexpired term in the State Senate and was twice reelected to that office. In 1873, Jones married Connie Myers, daughter of Col. W. R. Myers of Charlotte, and they had six children.
In 1885, Jones was appointed the United States District Attorney of the Western North Carolina District, serving for four years. After serving his term as U.S. District Attorney, he returned to his private law practice. Jones died on August 23, 1904.
