"Albert-Comstock-Hamlin" (1881-1912)

Was the first African American elected to the state legislature (1908) and was the only African American to serve until 1964. Born in Topeka Kansas,Albert was the son of Andrew Jackson & Fanny Hamlin,former slaves from Tennessee who had migrated to Kansas in 1880.The family moved to Logan County,Oklahoma Territory in 1890.After his daddy's death in 1891,Albert stayed on the Logan County Farm and married Katie Weaver in 1899.The couple had 5 children.Albert served on the Local school board and was a trustee of Springvale Township,where his family lived.He won the legislative seat by a two-to-one margin in the prominently African American Third District of Logan County (the county was one-quarter African American in 1900) he lost his bid for reelection in 1910.His defeat was a direct result of a Democrat-sponsored constitutional amendment that essentially prevented most African Americans from voting.The "grandfather clause" stated that no" person shall be registered as an elector in this state, or be allowed to vote in any election held herein, unless he be  able to read  and     write    any  section of the Constitution of  the   of   Oklahoma." It also prevented  anyone from voting unless that person had voted    before   January 1,1866,or   was   a direct   descendent of    someone who could    have  voted   on that   date.This     was    done by amendment,as  in   1907     President Theodore Roosevelt would not sign any proposed  Oklahoma constitution if it contained provisions that restricted  voting on based on race.

As a  Republican,Albert   was in    the minority party; he was able to sponsor legislation for the appropriation of thirty-five thousand dollars for Taft school an African American school for deaf,blind,or orphaned children.He also sponsored successful legislation that would make facilities truly equal for both white and African American railroad passengers and an amended bill to prevent certain activities such as theatrical peformances and baseball games on Sundays.

Albert died of unknown causes at his farm.He was a member of the African Methodist Episcopal

Church for fourteen years and is buried in Robison Cemetery near his home.