JESSE BLACK, Jr.
Jesse Black, Jr., a prominent attorney of Pekin, was born in Green Valley, Ill., in the year 1870. His father, William Black, was a Pennsylvanian, born in 1849, while his mother, who was Calista Miller, was a native of Michigan, the year of her birth being 1850. Mr. Black received his education in the public schools and State Normal University, being graduated from the latter institution in June, 1896. For one year he was teacher of mathematics in the Pekin High School, at the same time pursuing the study of law.
In politics Mr. Black is a Democrat, and was elected in the fall of 1899 as a member of the Legislature from the twenty-second district. He served one term. In 1899 he was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of law in the following May. In July, 1900, he was nominated on the Democratic ticket as member of Congress from the fourteenth Congressional District, but was defeated by a very small majority. Mr. Black stood so high in the esteem of his fellow citizens that in the fall of 1902 he was elected County Judge, which office he is still filling in an able and satisfactory manner. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen.
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 980