Hamilton was born in Barren County, Kentucky[2] and came to California in 1859 after being admitted to the bar in Georgia.

[5] A pioneering lawyer of Placer County, California, Hamilton served as District Attorney in 1860 and again 1862.

[6] After retiring, he continued to practice law in Auburn, Placer County.

His wife, Nancy Hamilton, died just over a month following his death, on September 20, 1904.

[3] His son, George W. Hamilton, was a member of the California State Assembly for Placer County from 1893 to 1895.