B. H. Black

As printed in 1911

HON. B. H. BLACK.

Hon. B. H. Black, representative in the general assembly of Iowa from Muscatine county, is a native of this county, born in Pike township, July 23, 1874. He is a son of Robert and Malissa (Johns) Black, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He received his early education in the common schools, later becoming a student in the West Liberty high school and the Nichols high school, graduating from the latter. He also had the advantages of a course in a business college at Iowa City, applying himself to his studies in such a way as to indicate an earnest ambition to excel in anything he undertook. He continued with his parents until twenty-two years of age, and then, having married, he began farming on his own account on a part of his father's estate in Pike township. He early became acquainted with all phases of farming and stock-raising and although he is still a young man he has gained an established reputation as one of the highly energetic and successful farmers of the county.

Mr. Black has taken an active part in politics and in November, 1910, was elected on the democratic ticket to the state legislature for a period of two years, which began in January, 191 1. Having passed his entire life in this state he is intimately acquainted with its resources and possibilities and also with the needs of the people, and it is confidently expected that as a public official he will acquit himself with high honor.

On the 16th of December, 1896, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Welch, who was born in Muscatine in April, 1875, a daughter of Michael and May (Joyce) Welch. Her father is a native of Ireland and her mother of Muscatine. Mr. Welch is a tailor by trade but is now living retired. There were four children in his family, namely: Mary E., now Mrs. Black; John, who died at the age of six years; Frank M., who is connected with the Chicago American; and Clement J., a graduate of the Iowa State University, who has been admitted to practice as a lawyer but is now general manager of the Bell Telephone Company at Sioux City, Iowa. Mrs. Black is a lady of unusual intellectual accomplishments and is a graduate of the Sisters school of Muscatine and also of the business college of the same city. She is a member of the Catholic church, and fraternally, Mr. Black is connected with the blue lodge of the Masonic order, at Nichols, the chapter at West Liberty, the commandery at Muscatine, and the shrine of Davenport. He is also connected with the Order of the Eastern Star and the Elks. Mr. Black has an attractive personality that inspires confidence and respect and his friends are numbered by the legion in Muscatine county. Gentlemanly in address, frank and persuasive in manner, and governed by unselfish and generous motives, he is to be congratulated on the position he has attained, as it is the reward of genuine personal merit.

As printed in History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.