HISTORY OF SAN FRANCISCO BAY REGION, by Bailey Millard, published 1924 Vol. 3 Page 168. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc. 1924.
JAMES A. DEVOTO has been numbered among the able and representative members of the San Francisco bar since the year 1890, and his success is the more pleasing to note by reason of the fact that he is a native of this city, and a scion of one of its old and influential Italian pioneer families. He was born in San Francisco on 29th of July, 1869, and is a son of ANTHONY and CATHERINE (ZENTACOLI) DEVOTO, both of whom were born and reared in Italy. ANTHONY DEVOTO was reared in his native land, whence he came to the United States in 1854. He remained two years in New York City and then, in 1858, came to San Francisco, where he became a pioneer in the commission business, to which he continued to give his attention many years. Here he is now living retired, at the venerable age of eighty-four (1922), his wife having passed away in 1901. Of the eight children all are living except one.
JAMES A. DEVOTO acquired his early education in the public schools of San Francisco and after leaving the high school here he entered Hastings College of Law. Thereafter he went to Italy and took an effective post-graduate course in the University of Genoa. he was admitted to the California bar on the fifth of May, 1890, and has since been actively and successfully established in the general practice of his profession in his native city. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and with the Native Sons of the Golden West.
In the year 1901 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Devota to MISS ELIZABETH M. CASTAGNETTO, who likewise was born and reared in San Francisco and who is the daughter of JOHN CASTAGNETTO. The one child of this union is JEROME L., who is in 1922, a student in Leland Stanford, Jr. University.

In Memoriam--James A. Devoto
by Leon E. Morris, of the law firm of Morris, Jaffa & Sumski
Deep sorrow is felt at "the death of James A. Devoto, a lawyer of outstanding ability and splendid courage, who, while prominent socially and fraternally, was yet one of our most modest men. In keeping with his modest habits, he had instructed his family not to allow the notice of his death to be published until after his funeral, and it was only yesterday that many learned of his passing.
Mr. James A. Devoto died at his San Francisco residence Tuesday, December 29. He was born in San Francisco on July 29, 1869. He graduated from the Washington Grammar School, Boys' High School, now known as the Lowell High School, and took his law course at Hastings College of the Law. However, his proficiency in his studies was so marked and his progress so rapid that when he came to, be admitted the bar his license was held up three months -until he attained the age of twenty-one years, so that he could qualify.
Mr. Devoto was an able advocate and public spirited citizen. He served a term as election commissioner and also served one year as attorney for the Board of Public Works of the City and County of San Francisco.
In his extensive civil practice, among interesting cases that he tried, one calls to mind the so-called "fish trust case," in which, on behalf of some of the dealers, he succeeded in getting a considerable verdict, as well as breaking up the ring that sought to establish a monopoly on the sale of fish in San Francisco.
Mr. Devoto is survived by his wife, Elizabeth M. Devoto, his son, Jerome Devoto, and his brother, our fellow practitioner, Anthony S. Devoto.

He appeared in the census in 1880 in San Francisco California.

"CASTAGNETTO--In this city, June 13, the wife of John CASTAGNETTO, of a daughter." Source: San Francisco Examiner, 15 June 1875.

The San Francisco Call, -- Sunday, September 23, 1900
Miss Ida V. Quelrolo of Marlposa who has been visiting friends in the city has returned home ln company with Miss Beth M. Castagnetto.