Black, L. M. 1842-1924

BLACK

Posted By: Dean Siders
Date: 12/3/2007 at 21:26:27

L.M. BLACK
IRETON PIONEER
HAS PASSED AWAY
_____

The citizens of Ireton and community have been called upon to mourn the death of one of its most venerable and foremost citizens, L.M. Black, pioneer and leader in civic and social affairs of Ireton from the time of the town’s inception, most beloved citizen the town has ever known and the friend of everybody who had the honor of his acquaintance.

The deceased was stricken with the illness that caused his death only a week before the end came but his enfeeble condition because of his advanced age of 82 years was such that he was unable to bear up under the disease and he passed away shortly before 9 o’clock last Saturday morning, January 19, 1924.

Levi Morris Black was born in Henry county, Indiana, on January 15, 1842, and grew to young manhood in his native community. When the call came for volunteers to assist in the preservation of the Union Mr. Black, the American, offered his services in the spirit of righteousness and fought through the years of the great conflict of the Civil War as a member of the 57th regiment of the Indiana volunteers. Six years after the close of the war, in 1871, he came west and located on a homestead in Sioux County southwest of Ireton and during the period of proving up on his claim taught school at Seney the only school for many miles around and a long distance from his homestead.

When the town of Ireton was located and organized in 1883 Mr. Black was one of the few men who took up residence here. He was the town’s first postmaster and at the same time was interested in the first mercantile store in the town. Until his death he and Mr. J. H. Sherman of Le Mars, were the only known survivors of Ireton’s first business men, and he was the only one who made Ireton his continuous home through all these years. It was very natural therefore that Mr. Black should have been an ardent booster for the town that meant so much to him and his efforts and inspiration have left many monuments that will refresh his memory for years to come.

Mr. Black held his first public office in Sioux county in the middle 70’s when he was elected to the office of county auditor the duties of which he discharged with honor for several years. He held the office of Mayor in Ireton for many years as well as many other offices of public trust in the community. He was a charter member of Launtz Post No. 215, G.A.R. of Ireton and held that membership continuously until the charter was surrendered from lack of members, when he transferred to the Post at Sioux Ctiy. He was Assistant Adjutant General of the Iowa G.A.R. under the administration of Commander Bailey. Mr. Black was an active and valued member Sioux Lodge No. 477 A.F. & A.M. for many years and was also a charter member of the local order of Eastern Stars.

He leaves to mourn his sudden death, a wife, three sons, E.W. of Lakeland, Florida, J.H.J. of Council Bluffs and L.M. Jr. of Ireton; two daughters, Mrs. C.S. Paul of Lakeland, Florida, and Mrs. Fred Kluter of Ireton; two step-sons, C.S. Paul of Lakeland, Florida, and one step-daughter, Mrs. B.F. Southard of Terre Haute, Indiana; nine grandchildren, two brothers and three sisters.

The funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the home and at 2:30 from the M.E. church, and was one of the largest funerals ever held in Ireton. The church was crowded to the doors by old friends and neighbors from far and near who came to pay their last respects to their departed friend. Rev. De Witt and Rev. Carr officiated at the scriptures and the former a very impressive sermon. A quartet composed of Mrs. G. S. Pitts, Mrs. A.T. Bergstrom, F.F. Morris and E. L. Morrison with Mrs. Morris at the piano, sang three selections. Following the sermon the Masonic lodge took charge of the services when T.J. Reeves of Orange City, a past grand officer of the lodge paid tribute to the departed in behalf of the Masonic lodge and rendered the ritualistic services. At the conclusion of the services a long procession followed the remains to the cemetery headed by the pall bearers, Dr. A.L. Craik, Supt. J.R. Coons, A.T. Bergstrom, Earl Wells, F.J. Parrott and Chas. Fletcher, followed by relatives, the Masons, W.R.C. and the American Legion. At the cemetery the last honors were given by the Legion boys.

Thus the last sad rites were performed for him whose memory will be cherished always by those who knew him. His cheery smile and happy greetings, as well as his valued helpfulness in community enterprises will be sorely missed in the community.

Source: The Ireton Ledger, page 1
Date: Thursday, Jan. 24, 1924

L.M. Black was the great-grandfather of Dean Siders who submitted this obituary.