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Below is a family biography from the book, History of Kentucky, Edition 1 by J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin and G. C. Kniffin and published by F. A. Battey Publishing Company in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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RICHARD F. HAMLIN, of Calloway County, was born in Rockingham County, N. C., November 15, 1835, a, son of Peter S. and Virginia A. (Micheaux) Hamlin, both of whom are yet living. The mother is a descendant of Abraham Micheaux, a Huguenot, whose wife, when a child, was shipped out of France as merchandise, in a hogshead, during the period of persecution of the Protestants in that country. The captain of the vessel, being friendly to the Huguenots, released her from confinement, and landed her safely in Holland, where she met and married Abraham Micheaux, who had preceded her as a refugee. The father of our subject is a Virginian by birth, removed at an early date to North Carolina, where he was married. In 1839 he came to Calloway County, Ky., when our subject was four years old. Richard F. worked on the farm and around his father’s mill, and attended subscription schools until nineteen years of age, when, upon the proceeds of a small legacy derived from his grandfather, he attended school at Rockingham Court House (or Wentworth), N. C. Then by the financial aid of his aunt was enabled to attend Chapel Hill University in North Carolina, and graduated in 1859. His career as a student is exemplary, holding the position of class orator, associate editor of the college paper, president of the literary society, and always a perfect grade in deportment. During his last year in college he took a course of law in connection with his other studies. After leaving school he went to Todd County, Ky., where he was first tutor in a wealthy family at a liberal salary, then took under his instruction the children of several other families of the vicinity. During the forepart of the late war he was Union in sentiment, but was influenced by relations and friends to enter the Confederate service. He joined Company H, Third Kentucky Infantry, participating in the battle of Shiloh, and the numerous other engagements of the Southwest. In said command he staid until close of the war. Returning to Calloway County he worked in his father’s mill, and taught school, was then president of a college in Ballard County two years. Then came to Murray, having previously invested in a stock of groceries, and continued in the same line nine months. He afterward taught school, and in 1882 was elected county clerk. Mr. Hamlin was married June 28, 1868, to Miss Laura Boggs. The union has given four children: Roberta, Virginia, Juliet K. and Richard F. Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin are members of the Christian Church. He also is a Mason and member of the Knights of Honor.

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This family biography is one of 31 biographies included in the Calloway County, Kentucky section of the book, The History of Kentucky, Edition 1 published in 1885 by F. A. Battey Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: History of Kentucky, Edition 1

View additional Calloway County, Kentucky family biographies here: Calloway County, Kentucky Biographies

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