Pg 582

         REV. JAMES ALEXANDER BLACK. The subject of this sketch is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bell) Black. His paternal ancestors were Scotch Covenanters, who had fought in the memorable battle of Bothwellbrig, and who to escape the fierce persecution which the ruling class then waged against all faithful adherents to the Scottish covenants, fled from their native land and took up their residence in the North of Ireland. On the maternal side his forefathers were Huguenots. Driven from France by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which deprived them of their religious liberties, they found refuge in Holland, and entering the service of the Prince of Orange, afterward known as William III of England, they went with him to Ireland, when, with his army, he invaded that country to defend the Protestants from Popish aggressions, and on the establishment of peace settled there with many others of their countrymen.

James A. Black, the subject of our sketch, was born in County Down, Ireland, but when an infant was brought by his parents to America, and settled in Pittsburgh, Pa. After receiving the rudiments of his education in the public schools of his adopted city, he entered Allegheny City College, and was graduated from that institution in the summer of 1862. He studied theology in the seminary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and was licensed by his Presbytery May 23, 1867. Itinerating a short time among the vacancies of his church, he accepted a call from a congregation in Clarksburg, Pa., where he was ordained, and installed Nov. 18, 1868.

While laboring in Clarksburg our subject married Miss Tirzah M. Cannon, of New Alexandria, Pa., June 8, 1876. At a meeting of his Presbytery held April 11, 1882, he resigned the pastorate of his congregation in order to accept the Presidency of the Polytechnic Institute, Allegheny City, Pa., which position he occupied three years. Resuming his ministerial work, he shortly afterward received and accepted a call from the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation of Wyman, Iowa, where he was installed Feb. 9, 1886, and where he continues to labor at present.