Black History Month – Did you know?

Our Great Granduncle
In 1895, with the inauguration of the school for colored people at Bluefield, Mr. Hatter was appointed by Hon. Virgil A. Lewis to head the institution and served as principal for the first ten years of its history. Beginning with nothing, he practically created Bluefield Colored Institute. He was superintendent of the building, managed the school and taught at the same time. Sometimes even after that, he had to take his turn at guarding the property at night.

I just found out today that:

1) In 1893, he also received the patent for a machine that would improve the harvest process Indian corn more efficiently!

2) Bluefield College in Mercer County, WV has named their Presidents House after Hamilton Hatter and it’s also now a historical landmark (1999).

In 1895, with the inauguration of the school for colored people at Bluefield, Mr. Hatter was appointed by Hon. Virgil A. Lewis to the head of the institution and served as principal for the first ten years of its history. Beginning with nothing, he practically created Bluefield Colored Institute. He was superintendent of the building, managed the school and taught at the same time. Sometimes even after that, he had to take his turn at guarding the property at night. I just found out today that: In 1893, he also received the patent for a harvest machine that would process Indian corn more efficiently! Bluefield College in Mercer County, WV named their Presidents House after Hamilton Hatter and it's now a historical landmark (1999).

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