WILLIAM BLACK
William Black, born in Huntingdon County., Pa., September 11, 1849, acquired his education in the common schools, and upon attaining his majority, turned his attention to farming. In that occupation he has been engaged ever since, adding to it the business of dairying. He has a herd of seventy-eight cattle, considered among the finest in the country. In politics Mr. Black is a Democrat and held the position of School Director for several years.
On January 19, 1870, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Calista A. Miller, the ceremony taking place at San Jose, Mason County, Ill. Of this union the following named children have been born: Jesse, who is a lawyer in Pekin: Luella, who is teaching at Green Valley: Minnie B., a teacher at Tremont; Mary Wilma, also a teacher in Sand Prairie Township, and Anna, who lives at home.
Mrs. Black was born in St. Joseph County, Mich., November 15, 1851, the daughter of John Michael and Margaret (Weaver) Miller. Mr. Miller, her father, was a native of Alsace-Lorraine, who came to the United States and located in New York State. He was married at Rochester. N Y., and then moved to St. Joseph
County, Mich., where his children were all born with the exception of one daughter. He subsequently became a resident of Missouri, where he lived four years, but, being a Union man during the Civil War, was obliged to leave the State on account of Southern hostility. He then came to Illinois, locating at Peoria, where he lived for a time, when he removed to Sand Prairie Township, Tazewell County, where he followed the trade of a cooper. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are deceased.
John Black, the great-grandfather of William Black, was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, and was of German descent. His son, Jacob, was a native of Huntingdon County, Pa., where he married Miss Sarah Neikirk, who was born at Hagerstown. Md. The maternal grandfather was Abraham Neikirk, who was also of German descent. Jesse Black the father of William was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., February 7, 1825, and married Miss Mary J. Johns, born in the same county. January 28, 1830
Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Tazewell County - page 981