A. C. Hamlin

Albert Comstock Hamlin (February 10, 1881 – August 29, 1912) was the first African American elected to the Oklahoma Legislature. He lost his re-election bid as a direct result of a constitutional amendment that prevented many black Oklahomans from voting.Bruce, Michael L. "Hamlin, Albert Comstock (1881-1912)" http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/H/HA015.html , Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society. (accessed April 17, 2013)

Hamlin was buried in Logan County, Oklahoma.

Early life

Born in Topeka, Kansas, to former slaves Andrew Jackson and Fanny Hamlin, A. C. Hamlin arrived in Oklahoma Territory in 1890 with the family. He married Katie Weaver in 1899 and had five children.

Before his election to the Oklahoma Legislature, Hamlin served on a school board and a town trustee.

Political career

Hamlin won a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1908 due to the large predominance of African Americans in the Logan County, Oklahoma district.

Oklahoma Democratic politicians were determined to keep African Americans from rising in society, as evidenced by the leader of the constitutional convention who exclaimed that blacks would always remain bootblacks, barbers and farmers.Franklin, Jimmie Lewis. "African Americans" http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/A/AF003.html , Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society. (accessed April 17, 2013)

Despite his dual minority status as an African-American and a Republican, Hamlin was able to receive support for bills to provide funding for a black school in his district, address unequal facilities for black and white railroad passengers, and prohibit certain activities on Sunday.

Hamlin lost a bid for reelection in 1910 after a constitutional amendment limited black voters by creating voter registration requirements including literacy and registration of individuals or their ancestors prior to January 1, 1866. Known as the "grandfather clause," the amendment was declared unconstitutional by the 1915 '' Guinn v. United States'' case. The "grandfather clause" was responsible for an exodus of African-Americans from Oklahoma to Canada.

Death and legacy

Hamlin died August 29, 1912, of unknown causes on his farm, and was buried in Robinson Cemetery in Logan County, Oklahoma. The Hamlin family cemetery plot includes his headstone and the headstone of a G. H. Hamlin.Albert Comstock (A.C.) Hamlin - Robinson A.M.E. Cemetery - Logan County, OK
Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com. (accessed July 7, 2013)

On February 21, 2009, the Logan County state representative introduced an amendment to name a part of Interstate 35 from Waterloo to Charter Road in southern Logan County as the "A.C. Hamlin Parkway". The amendment won approval as part of House Bill 2691 as was signed by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry. In May 2015, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation placed signage denoting the designation.

As of 2011, the 19th biennial awards banquet named for A. C. Hamlin was held by Oklahoma black legislators. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed a bill designating "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as the official gospel song of Oklahoma during the 2011 banquet.Fallin signs bill at A. C. Hamlin Banquet
" ''Edmond Sun'', April 26, 2011. (accessed April 17, 2013)

See also

*2nd Oklahoma Legislature
* Green Currin

References

External links

Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture: Hamlin, Albert Comstock (1881-1912)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hamlin, A.C.
1881 births
1912 deaths
Politicians from Topeka, Kansas
People from Logan County, Oklahoma
School board members in Oklahoma
African-American state legislators in Oklahoma
Republican Party members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
20th-century American politicians
20th-century African-American politicians
African-American men in politics