Benton Co., AR - Biographies - John Black

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        Date: 20 Jun 1998
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SOURCE: History of Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford,
Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas. Chicago: The Goodspeed 
Publishing Co., 1889.
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John Black, clerk of the county court of Benton County, Ark., is a native of Warren County,
Tenn., born in 1831, son of Alexander and Mary (Smith) Black, and grandson of Samuel Black.
Alexander Black was born in Kentucky, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and a merchant by occupation.
When a small boy he went to McMinnville, Tenn., and here in later years followed merchandising.
He died in East Tennessee in 1856. His wife was born in Roane County, and was of Scotch-Irish
descent also. To their marriage were born seven children, all of whom lived to be grown: Samuel
(deceased), John, Dr. Thomas, Mrs. Mary L. Mason, Robert, Alexander and Marawether Smith Black.
John Black was educated in McMinnville, Tenn., and at the age of nineteen began the study of law.
He soon entered the law department of Cumberland University at Lebanon. Tenn., and here remained
fifteen months. In 1851 he was admitted to the bar, and the year following he immigrated to
Carroll County, Ark., located at Carrollton, where he entered upon his practice. July 10, 1855,
he married Miss Sophia A. Greenwood, who was born in Georgia in 1837. She bore him six children:
Alexander G. (deputy clerk of Benton County), Kittie, John S., Mary L. (widow of William Tinnin,
deceased), Carrie (wife of Clinton Crouch) and Hugh D. In 1856 he was appointed agent of the
Poney Indians of Nebraska, and held that position for two years. During the war his sympathies
were with the Confederate States, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-fourth Regiment
Arkansas Infantry. He was in service in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas for about three and a half
years. He surrendered at Fort Smith, Ark., and after peace had been declared he returned to his
home and to his practice. This he continued until 1869 or 1870. when he was appointed county
attorney. In 1872 he was appointed clerk of Benton County, and was clerk of the county court,
probate court and recorder, it being the best office in the State. From 1876 to 1880 he was re-
elected to the same office. In 1882 the office was divided, and Mr. Black was clerk of the county
court, and was re-elected in 1884 and 1886. He now holds that position. Mr. Black is one of the
old and much respected citizens of Benton County, is a man of much public spirit and a man of
good character. He has been in public office [p.810] for the past eighteen years. and during that
time has escaped without a stain or blot upon his public or private life. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, Royal Arch and Council Degree, and he and Mrs. Black are members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church.