Hamilton attended Ripley High School, the Fredonia Normal School (now the State University of New York at Fredonia), and the Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University) in Chester, Pennsylvania.

He was active in farming, and was also involved in the oil and natural gas business.

A Republican, he was a member of the New York State Assembly (Chautauqua Co., 2nd D.) in 1907 and 1908.

He was not a candidate for reelection in 1918, and returned to his farming and business interests.

Hamilton died in Miami Beach, Florida on January 3, 1942.