On the list of Page county's honored dead appears the name of James C. BLACK, whose sterling character was manifested in his business integrity, his championship of measures for the public good and his loyalty to the best interests of society. He was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1831, a son of Mathew and Eliza (CURREY) BLACK. The family, of Irish lineage, was founded in America by his grandfather, who was born on the Emerald Isle. The birth of Mathew BLACK occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1799 and he passed away in Butler county, same state, in 1850. His wife was born in Ireland about the year 1801 and died in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1833.

Mathew BLACK was reared to general agricultural pursuits, in which he continued throughout his life. Both he and his wife, held membership in the United Presbyterian church, which was then known as the Associated Reformed church. He was twice married, the children of his first union being John A., Jane C. and Mathew I., all now deceased. Having lost his first wife, he was married again and had six children: Uriah J. and Jarvis T., both now deceased; Abigail, the wife of William MAXWELL; Robert W.; Silas T., who has passed away; and Joshua T.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Joseph C. BLACK, who spent his boyhood and youth on the old homestead in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and is indebted to the common schools of that locality for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He remained in the east until 1852, when he sought the business opportunities of the growing west, and for seven years was employed by the month as a farm hand in Hancock county, Illinois. In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings until he had the sum of six hundred dollars, which he invested in forty acres of land.

When he had thus made preparations for having a home of his own, he felt justified in taking unto himself a wife, and on the 27th of April, 1858, Mr. BLACK was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. GRAHAM, a daughter of William and Rachel (GLASCOW) GRAHAM, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Ohio. Her mother died in the Buckeye state in 1848, while the father passed away in Illinois in 1867. They were both consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Reformed Presbyterian church. Their family numbered fourteen children: William M. and Nancy A., both now deceased; Rhoda G., the wife of James MONTGOMERY; Calvin C.; Hugh J.; Martha J., who became Mrs. BLACK; Louisa R., Hadassa N., Robert R. and Amanda S., who have all passed away ; Joseph C.; M. G.; John C., deceased; and Mary S.. the wife of William NELSON. Of this number, Mrs. BLACK was born in Adams county, Ohio, April 3, 1830.

After his marriage Mr. BLACK settled with his bride on his little farm in Hancock county, Illinois, and continued to cultivate it until April, 1867, during which time he erected good buildings thereon and brought the fields under a high state of improvement, but he was desirous of obtaining more land and, realizing that farm property could be purchased at a lower figure in Iowa, he came to Page county and invested in one hundred and twenty acres. Only about twenty acres of that tract had been broken and the improvements upon it consisted of a log cabin, in which the family lived for a year and a half. In 1880 the pioneer building was converted into a kitchen and in front of it a nice frame residence was constructed. Other modern and valuable improvements were made upon the farm from time to time, including the planting of an orchard of two acres, and as his financial resources increased Mr. BLACK added to his original purchases another tract of one hundred and twenty acres. The pioneer farm was brought under cultivation through his industry and energy, and his possessions were the visible evidence of his untiring labor, for when he came to Iowa he had little capital. As the years passed, however, he accumulated a comfortable competence and in all that he did was ably assisted by his wife. Mr. BLACK's business record was interrupted by his service in the Civil war for, in the fall of 1864, he offered his aid to the country, enlisting in Company E. Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, remaining at the front for a year, after which he returned to his home in Illinois. His political allegiance was given to the republican party from the time of its organization and his fellow townsmen, recognizing the worth of his citizenship, called him to several local offices. He served for six years as township trustee, was assessor for three years and was also a member of the school board, discharging the duties of these various positions in a most capable and efficient manner.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. BLACK were born six children: William M., now a well known and leading farmer of Harlan township; Robert G., who is living in Anderson county, Kansas: Elmer E., whose home is in Mount Ayr, Ringgold county, Iowa; James P., who died January 14, 1868; Amelias E., who died in January, 1875; and a daughter who died in infancy.

The death of the father occurred on the old homestead on section 35, Harlan township, November 10, 1899, and the mother died at the home of her son Robert in southern Kansas, August 17, 1909, and her remains were brought back to College Springs, being interred beside her husband in the cemetery there. Both were members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. BLACK contributed generously of his means to the support of the church and for ten years served as one of its deacons. He was a man whom to know was to esteem because in every relation of life he manifested a spirit of honor and was ever straightforward in his dealings whether of a business or a social nature.

SOURCE: KERSHAW, W. L. History of Page County Iowa: Also Biographical Sketches of some Prominent Citizens of the County Vol. 11. Pp. 550-01. The S.J. Clarke Publ. Co. Chicago. 1909.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009