BLACK, James 1853-1934

BLACK, TOWNSEND

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/27/2022 at 07:32:21

Jas. Black, Former Sheriff of Grundy County Is Dead

James Black, a former sheriff of Grundy county, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Fenton Lynn, in Grundy Center at 10:45 Tuesday evening following a short illness from heart failure. He was 80 years old. Up to a few months ago he was in apparent good health and he was unusually strong and active for a man of his advanced years. His decline was very rapid during the past two weeks.

Funeral services will be held in the First Presbyterian church of Grundy Center Thursday afternoon. Burial will be by the side of his wife in the Morrison cemetery.

Obituary
Mr. Black was born at "Old Mill Tavern," Aberdeen Shire, Scotland, Dec. 1st, 1953[sic]. He came to America with his parents in 1855. They located at Paris, thence at Niagara Falls, where he learned the nature of which he so loved to tell, his story of the sacrifice of a pioneer reading like a fairy story.

In April 1861 the family moved to Co. Gray, Ontario, where he grew to manhood, going to Manitoba, in 1877 returning to Ontario. In 1878 he came to Iowa, making his home in Morrison, to which place he brought his bride, Sarah Townsend, in 1884. To this union were born three children: John, dying in infancy; Mabel Mary (Mrs. J. C. Ramsey), and Sadie (Mrs. Fenton Lynn). In 1896 the family moved to Grundy Center, which place has been his home, among friends, until death came to him peacefully and in all faith Tuesday, May 29, 10:45 p.m.

A member of the Presbyterian Church since young manhood, he served as elder in this church, guiding and giving counsel in that sincere manner which was so much a part of him. Giving himself in service to civic affairs, he served as councilman in this city and as sheriff of Grundy county.

Mr. Black, to many "Jim," had been a member of the Masonic order since June, 1877. Initiated into Sublime Degree in Durham Lodge No. 306 and later affiliating with Emerald Lodge in 1880. St. Elmo Commandery, El Kahir Temple, Ancient Order of Mystic Shrine.

He leaves to mourn his death two daughters, Mrs. J. C. Ramsey, Dixon, Ill., and Mrs. Fenton Lynn, Grundy Center; two grandsons, James and Gordon, and one granddaughter, Barbara Ramsey; four brothers and six sisters, besides a host of friends. One sister preceded him in death two years ago.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 31 May 1934, pg 6