Douglas County IL Archives Biographies.....Black, Robert December 13, 1843 - June 11, 1899
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Norma Hass http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00013.html#0003021 February 13, 2017, 4:19 pm

Source: Historical and Biographical Record of Douglas County, Illinois, pages 236-237
Author: John Gresham

Robert M. Black, the subject of this memoir, came from an ancestry of more 
then ordinary importance and prominence.

His great-grandfather, with his family, removed from Scotland and settled in 
Virginia some years before the Revolutionary war, passed through the terrors 
and excitement caused by the traitor Arnold in portions of Virginia, 
volunteered, though far past the age of liability, for military service, and 
was one of the soldiers, who, under Lafayette and Gen. Wayne, turned and drove 
back Lord Cornwallis. He was intimately acquainted with Lafayette, Gen. Wayne 
and Gen. Lord Sterling, who were frequent guests at his house. His youngest 
son, George Black, the grandfather of our subject, was born on the 8th of 
July, 1767. He was nine years old when the Declaration of Independence was 
issued. He was a son of the Revolution and saw and caught the spirit of most 
of the stirring scenes of that eventful period. George Black, with his family, 
removed from Virginia and settled in Kentucky some time before the war of 
1812. He became a soldier of this war in a regiment of mounted riflemen and 
rendered important service under the command of Geo. Harrison.

With such an ancestry, whose character and qualities he reproduced and 
reflected, together with his own individual traits, we may understand the life 
of Robert M. Black, who was the ninth in a family of thirteen children born to 
Andrew and Margaret (Lockridge) Black. Andrew Black and his family left their 
home in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and went to Greencastle, Indiana, in 1850. The 
life of Robert M. Black dates from December 13, 1843, to June 11, 1899, a 
period of fifty-three years of great activity and success. His Scotch blood, 
fired with the spirit of the Revolution, produced a fine type of American 
patriot and citizen. In his boyhood days the future man already appeared. 
Obedient to parents, kind in disposition, solicitous about the welfare and 
happiness of his brothers and sisters, and loyal and unselfish toward his 
playmates, he early developed into a fine man, who was willing and anxious to 
contribute his part to the world's progress as a man and citizen. At the age 
of sixteen he enlisted in the Seventy-eighth Indiana Regiment and in his first 
battle, at Union City, Kentucky, was wounded in the knee in the midst of a 
display of uncommon bravery. Yet his bravery probably saved his life, since, 
while he was facing the enemy alone, his company being in full retreat, the 
rebel commander ordered his men "not to shoot so brave a boy." Thus early in 
life, under the most trying circumstances, appeared those sterling qualities 
which made him prominent throughout his entire life and endeared him with 
peculiar strength to his comrades, friends and acquaintances. The wound 
received shortly after his enlistment greatly hindered him the rest of his 
days, but was borne with the same cheerful bravery with which it was received.

In 1873 he was married to Miss Mary Hutchings, who lived but two years 
afterward. In 1889 he married Miss Laura Moore, whom, with their four 
children, he left at his death well provided for. He was engaging in farming 
and stock business, which took him out over the country and into the 
neighboring states and caused him to handle a vast amount of money. His 
business brought him in contact with men, and, on account of his fair dealings 
and sturdy sociability, he made many friends and exerted a great influence. He 
was interested in politics and was a staunch Republican. In religion he was a 
Presbyterian, was for many years a member of the church, and as a father 
carefully brought up his children. His religion was not too sacred to be used 
in every-day affairs and it was the real foundation of his many excellent 
qualities shown in touch with his fellow men. His loyalty to his friends knew 
no bounds. Every true man found in him a worthy and constant companion, and 
friendships, formed upon manly qualities, were never broken. His large heart 
found pleasure in responding, in a substantial way, to the poor or those in 
temporary distress. To help others was a real pleasure to him, and being 
interested in those battling with adversity he was interested in all. He was 
progressive and public spirited, and in no sense lived for himself alone. 
Cheerfulness was his constant companion and it never forsook him, although all 
others were gloomy. He had a source of radiance and sunshine that seemed 
denied to many of his fellows. Some four years before his demise he moved to 
this county on a large farm four miles north of Oakland City, and being a 
careful business man he made money and friends in his new home, and he and his 
family were soon holding a large place in the affections and good-will of the 
entire community. A community may with pardonable pride record the name of so 
true and noble-hearted a citizen in its county history.

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