BIO: James BLACK, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 196, 199.
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  JAMES BLACK, deceased, formerly of Alexandria, Huntingdon county, 
Pa., was born in Porter township, Huntingdon county, November 19, 1820, 
son of Robert and Molly (Hayes) Black. Robert Black, a native of 
Ireland, came to America with his parents in early youth, and grew up 
and married in this county. He was a general laborer. His children 
were: John; Robert; Molly; James; Jane; Rebecca; and Daniel; all are 
deceased except the eldest of the family, John, who resides in Canoe 
valley. The father died in Porter township.
  James Black was educated in subscription schools, and grew up sharing 
the experiences of work and pleasure which fall to the lot of a 
farmer's boy. In his case, there was undoubtedly plenty of wholesome 
work; his parents being in straitened circumstances, James was obliged 
not only to labor at home, but to seek employment among the farmers of 
the vicinity, in order to lay up enough to buy a farm of his own. This, 
by industry and thrift, he succeeded in doing. James Black was married 
in Porter township, January 12, 1843, to Ann Eliza, daughter of John 
and Mary (McDevitt) Laird; she was born in Porter township, January 8, 
1824. They resided for many years after their marriage in the same 
house in which Mrs. Black was born, and which Mr. Black rented. They 
occupied different farms until 1861, when Mr. Black purchased a tract 
of 128 acres, having as improvements only a very inferior log dwelling 
and barn. Mr. Black built a comfortable farm house, good barns and 
fences, and planted orchards, besides introducing other facilities. He 
never sought any public office, although he was decided in his 
political views, which were Republican, and a man whose character had 
won the esteem and respect of the community. His children are: William, 
farmer and teacher, married to Miss Allen, and has five children: 
Blanchard A., Florence, Mabel, George and Guy; Caroline, resides at 
Tyrone, Pa.; Albert A., D.D., of Bolesburg Centre, married to Miss 
Rupley; Daniel, gardener at the Huntingdon Reformatory, resides in 
Huntingdon, has two sons, Howard, and Fred; Howard, died of consumption 
in Colorado, whither he had gone for his health, leaving a widow and 
child, Esther; Henry H., farmer, of Walker township, married to Miss 
Steel, has one child, Benjamin P.; Frank L., farmer, of Porter 
township, married to Miss Isenberg; Mary; Wallace; Annie W.; and Alice 
M. James Black was a member of the Reformed church. He died August 22, 
1890, and is buried at Alexandria. Since his death, Mrs. Black has 
resided on the old home farm.