OBIT: John M. BLACK, 1918, Gaysport, Blair County, PA

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DUNCANSVILLE MAN WAS KILLED SEPTEMBER 30

  Sergeant John M. Black of Duncansville, a member of Company G of the 
old 10th regiment, was killed in action on Sept. 30, according to a 
message received by a sister, Mrs. Gus Andrews, of Duncansville.  
Before enlisting in the army John resided in Gaysport.  He was 
prominent in athletic circles in the county.
  Sergeant Black enlisted in Company G when the Blair unit was 
mobilized to war strength in July, 1917, and his knowledge of military 
affairs soon won for him several promotions.  He previously served four 
years in the U.S. navy and for a time had been on the U.S. marine.
  John M. Black was a son of Adam, deceased, and Mrs. Mary Black of 
Duncansville and was aged 36 years.  He made his home with a sister, 
Mrs. Gus Andrews, in Gaysport, for a number of years, and before 
enlisting was a brakeman for the Pennsy.  Previous to that time he was 
chief engineer for the Thermic Ice company.
  Surviving are the mother and five sisters and one brother: Mrs. Olive 
Gibboney of Cresson, Mrs. Armula Stewart of Altoona, Mrs. Etta Shipe of 
Juniata, Mrs. Gus Andrews of Gaysport, Mrs. Isaiah Culbert of 
Duncansville and Charles Glenn of Juniata.
  Sergeant Black was prominent in county athletics.  He was the manager 
and captain of the veteran Duncansville club of several years ago and 
played third base.  He occupied the hot corner for the P.R.R. Trainmen 
and Hollidaysburg teams in the Pennsy league with Middle divisions.  He 
captained the Company G team in Altoona a year ago when the unit was 
awaiting orders to camp.  When in the navy he was a member of the navy 
baseball and football teams.
  He is the second boy from Hollidaysburg district to give his life for 
humanity, in Frances, James Watson Kephart being the other.

Altoona Times, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday Morning, October 15, 1918