BLACK, Ora E.

BLACK, THORTON, VENN, RAICH, ELLIOTT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/20/2014 at 06:31:07

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.
Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith, Supervising Editors
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 366-23. Chicago. 1915.

ORA E. BLACK

ORA E. BLACK, who has spent practically his entire life in Decatur county and is widely recognized as one of its prosperous agriculturists and esteemed citizens, owns an excellent farm of two hundred and eighty acres on sections 15 and 22, Burrell township. His birth occurred in Mercer county, Illinois, on the 12th of June, 1868, his parents being Richard M. and Iowa (Thorton) Black, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Rock Island county, Illinois. In the year 1853 Richard M. Black accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, in which state he was reared to manhood and followed farming until 1869, when he came to Decatur county, Iowa. He purchased and improved a tract of land in Burrell township and devoted his attention to its cultivation throughout the remainder of his life, passing away August 19, 1910. The period of his residence in the community covered more than four decades and he won an extensive circle of warm friends, so that his demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His wife was called to her final rest April 12, 1902.

Ora E. Black, brought to this county when still in his first year, was here reared and educated and remained under the parental roof until almost twenty-four years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. He bought an eighty-acre tract of land on section 15, Burrell township, and set to work to improve his property, subsequently extending its boundaries by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and eighty acres, two hundred acres thereof on section 22. In connection with the production of cereals he also devotes considerable attention to live-stock interests, feeding a carload of cattle and one of hogs annually. Both branches of his business yield him a gratifying income and he has long been numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.

On the 6th of March, 1892, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Libby Venn, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Eliza (Raich) Venn, both of whom were natives of New York. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, operated a farm in the Empire state until 1876, when he came to Decatur county, Iowa, here cultivating rented land for five years. On the expiration of that period he purchased property in Bloomington township and successfully operated the same until January, 1901, when he sold the place and remo^ ed to Nashville, Oklahoma, where he is now conducting a livery business. His wife passed away in February, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Black have a daughter, Gladys A., who is nineteen years of age and is the wife of A. J. Elliott, who cultivates a part of her father's farm.

Mr. Black gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has served as township clerk for six years, making a most creditable record in that connection. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He enjoys a wide acquaintance in this county and has won uniform respect and goodwill by reason of a life which in all of its phases has been straightforward and honorable.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014