Black, Charles W.

BLACK, HARRIS, PIERSON

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/19/2009 at 18:48:27

History of Hamilton County Iowa, Vol.II,1912, p.59

CHARLES W. BLACK

Charles W. Black who is now a member of the dry-goods firm of Shipley & Black and whose influence has been a progressive factor in its success, was born in Bloomfield, Davis County, Iowa, on November 15, 1879. His parents are Joseph R. and Isabel (Harris) Black, who came from Cambridge, Ohio, to Iowa about 1846 or 1848. His father is a representative and progressive agriculturist in Davis county where he is still living with his wife.

Charles W. Black was educated in the public schools of his native section, spending some time in the Cedar Rapids high school. During the last four years of his student life he was employed as clerk in the Fair dry-goods store at Cedar Rapids and thus early became acquainted with the details of the operation of a modern and progressive mercantile enterprise. He supplemented his high school education by a course at the Southern Iowa Normal School at Bloomfield, from which institution he was graduated in 1902. His active career began in his native city as stenographer, typewriter and bookkeeper for T. P. Bence, a leading attorney at law in Bloomfield. Here Mr. Black spent six months before he took a position as clerk for Hill & Company, dry-goods merchants of the same city. He retained his connection with this firm for three years and gained valuable personal experience in commercial values and in the buying and selling of goods. In 1905 he went to Centerville, Iowa, and entered the employ of Strickler Brothers who operated a large dry-goods store in that city. Mr. Black was given charge of the dress goods and card writing departments and by his intelligent activity made his branch of the enterprise successful and flourishing. He remained in Centerville until March, 1909, in which year he established his residence in Webster City. He entered the employ of W. V. Shipley, and his services were so valuable and progressive that in 1911 he was allowed a half interest in the business and the firm became known as Shipley & Black, under which title it has been operating since that time. Much of its success is due to the policy of modern expansion which is the vital characteristic of Mr. Black's business career. He has brought to the conduct of his dry-goods enterprise a discriminating and alert mind, an unwavering industry and an integrity which never deviates from a narrow path of strict honesty.

On June 6, 1907, Mr. Black was united in marriage in Centerville, Iowa, to Miss Laura Pierson, a daughter of G. H. Pierson, a coal mine owner of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Black reside at 637 Bank street, Webster City, and are well known and popular in social circles. They hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Black seeks no distinction beyond success in a purely business walk of life, preferring to spend his life quietly and honorably in worthy lines of activity. Business men of Webster City respect him for his liberal commercial intelligence and for his upright business morality. His friends find in him a genial and loyal companion. The two phases of his life form true success.