This was in a response to a request on the Richland Co, OH mailing list
for information about Davis Black.
You may have been a recipient of the Richland Co mailing list when we
had a discussion about why so many folks from Richland Co, OH emigrated
to Noble Co, IN. I don't know that we had a conclusion to that
question, but in the History of Noble Co, IN (1882 Goodspeed and
Blanchard), here is a bio for a Davis Black.
Allen Township
DAVIS BLACK was born in Cumberland Co, PA 7 Aug 1825. He is the son of
Peter and Martha (Amos) Black, full mention of whom is made in another
part of this work. Davis Black was brought up on his father's farm,
receiving his education in the log schoolhouses of that day. He married
Miss Caroline Sigler 23 May 1850. Mrs. Black was born in Richland Co,
OH in 1825. The fall following their marriage, they moved to this
county, and purchased eighty acres of land. This was unimproved at the
time. They have since added to it, until they now own 160 acres, which
are nicely improved and well stocked. To them have been born four
children. Matilda A., Martha D. and William W., living and Mary E.,
deceased. Mr. Black began life as a poor man, and he and wife have made
what they have since their marriage. They are public-spirited people,
and have the respect of all who are acquainted with them. Mr. Black is
a Democrat, but liberal in his views.
FREDERICK A. BLACK was born in Harford Co, MD., 31 July 1813. He is the
son of Peter and Martha (Amos) Black, who were born, reared and married
in Maryland. They removed to Lancaster Co, PA in 1819 and then in a few
years to Cumberland Co, the same state. In 1833, they moved to Richland
Co, OH and to this county in 1852. In their family were eight sons and
two daughters, the greater portion of whom now reside in Noble Co. The
father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and participated in a number of
engagements. He was a Jackson Democrat, and held many positions of
honor and trust. Both he and wife have been dead some years. Frederick
A. Black was brought up on a farm, and received few advantages for
obtaining an education. When about twenty-four years of age, he began
working in a saw-mill, and for seven years continued in this business.
He was married to Miss Sophia Shafer in 1836. She was born in Bedford
Co, PA in 1817. From this union there were seven children; Mary A.,
John D., Margaret E., Elizabeth., Sarah M., Peter O. and Jane S. In
1845, Mr. Black came to this county, and purchased eighty acres of land
in Jefferson township. He has added to his first purchase from time to
time, until he now owns 376 acres. He has always followed farming and
stock-raising and has done much toward improving the stock of Noble
County. He is a self-made man in the fullest sense of the term. He has
held the office of County Commissioner three terms, during which time he
suggested and carried out many needed reforms in the management of the
county's affairs. He has also held the office of School Trustee,
Justice of the Peace and other offices and has proved valuable and
efficient. Mrs. Black died in 1850, since which Mr. Black has remained
single, caring for his family and keeping them together until their
respective marriages. He is a Democrat in politics, and a useful and
honored citizen.
Town of Albion
OWEN BLACK, retired, is a native of Lancaster Co, PA where he was born
in 1815. His parents were Peter and Martha (Amos) Black, natives of
Maryland, and settlers to Ohio in 1833, where they resided for twenty
years, removing to Indiana in 1853, locating in Noble Co, where they
remained the remainder of their lives, his father's death occuring 23
Oct 1862, his mother's 28 June 1872. Owen was the second of 10
children; his early duties were connected with farm life, until he
attained his majority, when he learned the carpenter's trade; following
that in connection with farming, until he came to Indiana. For two
years, he was engaged in farming, at the expiration of which period he
came to Albion, and began a successful business career. He was
connected with the dry goods trade for fifteen years; built the first
grist-mill in Albion; also erected two saw-mills and numerous dwelling
houses and business blocks. He has 380 acres of fine farming land in
Noble Co, and 800 acres in Kansas. After an active life, he has retired
to the enjoyment of well-earnied prosperity. He devoted considerable of
his time to traveling in 1878, taking a trip across the ocean and
visiting several countries upon the continent. Mr. Black was married,
in 1838, to Miss Elizabeth Goss, a native of Richland Co, OH, where her
people settled in 1815. Two sons are descendants of this
marriage--Jackson D. and Owen J., both young and promising business men
of Albion.
Jefferson Township
BLACK FAMILY - Peter Black, deceased, was born 11 Dec 1789, in
Maryland. His early life was spent in his native State, where he
learned the manufacture of brick and the trade of masonry. He was
married in Baltimore, MD., 16 Aug 1812 to Martha Amos, who was born in
Maryland 30 July 1793. A few years succeeding his marriage, Mr. Black
and family removed to Lancaster Co, PA where in connection with his
trade he carried on teaming quite extensively. In 1833, he discontinued
his trade, and with his family removed to Richland Co, OH, where he
engaged in farming. In 1853, he moved to Jefferson township, where his
oldest son had preceded him, and began, with the help of his sons, to
clear and improve a farm. He was an industrious and honest man, a
Democrat and a soldier of the war of 1812. His death occurred in Noble
Co, 23 Oct 1863. His wife was a member of the Old School Baptist
Church, and her death occurred in Noble Co 28 Jan 1872. Mr. and Mrs.
Black were parents of the following family: Frederick A., born 31 July
1813; Owen, 24 Sept 1815; Elizabeth, 7 Sept 1817, died 1 Dec 1862;
Oliver P., born 17 Oct 1819; Cyrus, May 28, 1822; Davis, 7 Aug 1825;
Benjamin, 4 March 1828; Naomi, 28 Jan 1831, wife of J. J. Knox, of
Elkhart twp; Peter M., born 1 June 1836, died 13 Jan 1863; and James M.,
16 Jan 1840.
OLIVER BLACK married Mary Ann Streby in Richland Co, OH in 1833.