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1907 Past and Present Biographies
Fred M. BlackMr. Black is a western man by birth, training and preference, and seems thoroughly imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He was born in Boone county, Iowa, on the 11th of August, 1865, and in the paternal line comes of German ancestry. His father, Jacob Black, was born in Germany in 1840 and having come to America, resided for some time in the state of New York. Leaving the east, he made his way westward to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where he was first married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Putnam, who was born in Vermont. She died in 1862 and the father has since wedded Sarah Miller, their home being now in Glidden, Iowa. For a time after his first marriage Jacob Black carried on general agricultural pursuits in Poweshiek county, where the death of the wife occurred, but later removed to Boone county. There he was married again, and in 1876 came to Greme county, settling in Kendrick township. Here he purchased a tract of land, which he at once began to cultivate and develop, bringing his fields under a high state of improvement. He continued to operate his land until 1901, when he retired from active life and is now pleasantly located in Glidden, the fruits of his former toil being sufficient to supply him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries which go to make life worth the living. There were three children by the first marriage: Frank, a resident of Nebraska; Edward, who is living in this county; and William, also living in Nebraska. By the second marriage there were eleven children, nine of whom survive: Fred M., of this review; Charles R., who is living in Greene county, Iowa; Mrs. Emma Blackley, whose home is in Ralston, Carroll county, Iowa; Mrs. Laura Gantz, of Boone, this state: Mrs. Belle McClurg, who is living in Colorado; Bert, also of Greene county; Clara, who is teaching school; Walter, of Colorado; and Catherine. at home. Fred M. Black was a pupil in the public schools near his father’s home and upon the farm was reared. receiving ample training in the work of the fields, as he assisted in tilling the soil and harvesting the crops. He remained with his parents until he had attained his majority and then started out upon an independent business career. The occupation to which he was reared he has always followed but for four years after leaving home he worked by the month as a farm hand. Carefully saving his earnings during that time, he at length acquired the capital that enabled him to purchase a part of his present farm and to the original tract he has added, as opportunity has offered, until he now owns two hundred and fifty-seven acres of rich and productive land. He is extensively engaged in raising Poland China hogs, having now about three hundred and fifty head upon the place. This is a profitable branch of his business and at the same time he is meeting with success in the work of tilling the fields and producing the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. On Christmas day of 1890 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Black and Miss Arminta Borders, who was born in Greene county, the parents being Matthew and Deborah (Vermillion) Borders, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the former born in 1832, and the latter in 1833. Mrs. Borders died in the year 1906. On leaving Ohio, when a small boy, Mr. Borders removed with his parents to Michigan and after reaching manhood became a resident of Dallas county, Iowa. There he was married July 31, 1856, to Miss Deborah Vermillion, who had come to this state with her parents, driving across the country from Ohio to Iowa with a team and wagon. In 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Borders removed to Kansas, but two years later returned to Iowa, settling in Carroll county, where they lived on rented farms until 1865, when they came to Greene county, making their home in Kendrick township. Here Mr. Borders purchased a farm and as the years passed be developed it along modern lines until it became a splendid property. Year after year be continued the work of cultivation and improvement upon his place until 1902, when he retired, and he and his wife removed to Ralston, Iowa. There they lived until her death. In their family. were ten children, of whom nine are yet living, as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Chambers, whose home is in Carroll county, Iowa; Edgar, now living in South Dakota; Charles, a resident of Oregon; John, also of South Dakota; Mrs. Sarah Kremer, of Nebraska; Mrs. Susan Chase, whose home is in Minnesota; Mrs. Black, of this review; Mrs. Blanch Linn, whose home is in Greene county; and Elisha, also of this county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Black has been blessed with six children, Clarence, Oscar, Elvin, Paul, Arvilla and Imogene, all yet at home. The family attend the Friends church, of which they are members. Mr. Black has always been a republican in his political views and staunchly supports the party. He early learned that diligence is the key which can unlock the portals of success and his resolution to win advancement in the business world has been exemplified in his unfaltering efforts to so conduct his farming interests as to produce the best results. He has ever been reliable and trustworthy in his dealings with his fellowmen, being never known to take advantage of the necessities of others in a trade transaction. He has thus gained the respect and good will of those with whom he has come in contact, while at the same time he has won the merited reward of honest, persistent labor. |
Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead," by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver, Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.  Site Terms, Conditions & Disclaimer |