For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 501
ROBERT C. BLACK....For almost six decades Robert C. Black has been a resident of Muscatine county, and in the years that have come and gone he has witnessed remarkable changes in the development, progress and improvement that has been carried on here. He is now living retired in Nichols and is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative citizens, for he belongs to that class of men whose enterprising spirit has been used not alone for his own benefit, but has also advanced the general good and prompted public prosperity by his ably managed individual interests, thus placing this section of the country on a par with the older east.Robert C. Black was born in Boone county, Kentucky, on the 20th of April, 1841, a son of Benjamin and Frances ( Moore ) Black. The father was also a native of Kentucky, while the mother claimed Virginia as the state of her nativity. In 1852 the family made the journey from Kentucky to Muscatine county, Iowa, with team and covered wagon, and here the father entered land from the government, continuing to cultivate the same until his death, which occurred in 1888. His wife had preceeded him to the home beyond, her death occurring in 1886. Unto them were born ten children, but only three of the number are now living, these being Robert C., of this review ; John, also a resident of Muscatine county ; and Arthur L., who makes his home in Alabama.
Robert C. Black was reared in his native state to the age of eleven years, and his education, which was begun there in the common schools, was continued in the schools of Muscatine county. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, having in the meantime become thoroughly familiar with all the hardships and experiences incident to life in a new country. At that time he started out to make his own way in the world, working first as a common laborer in Wisconsin. After a brief period spent in that state he returned to Muscatine county and operated rented land for a number of years. He was energetic and persevering, and, carefully saving his money, he was at length enabled to purchase land in Pike township. At first he had but a small tract, but as the years passed he kept adding to his holdings until his possessions now embrace thirteen hundred acres of valuable land in Muscatine county. He continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits throughout a long period and in connection with his farming made a specialty of feeding hogs and cattle, which added materially to his annual profits. In 1897 he put aside his business cares and removed to Nichols, where he built a fine modern residence. He now merely gives supervision to his invested interests, still retaining possession of his farm lands, and he likewise owns a half block of ground in the village. In his business affairs he has ever displayed sound judgment and an ability to overcome all obstacles and difficulties that beset his path, and in this lies the secret of his success.
In 1873 occurred the marriage of Mr. Black and Miss Mary M. Johns, who was born in Muscatine county, September 8, 1849, a daughter of Hosea and Elizabeth ( Nichols ) Johns. Her father was born in Maryland, while her mother was a native of Ohio, but their marriage occurred in Muscatine county. Mrs. Black was the only child born of that union and by her marriage she has become the mother of three children, one son and two daughters. B. H., the only son, is a resident of Muscatine county. Nannie E., who was born May 1, 1879, became the wife of B. A. Kirchner, a merchant of Nichols, but departed this life on the 26th of March, 1901, when twenty-two years of age. Clara Bell, who was born in 1883, died in 1900, when but seventeen years old. Both were laid to rest in the cemetery at Nichols.
In his political views Mr. Black is a democrat but aside from serving as school director and as treasurer of the board he has filled no public office. He and his wife are Presbyterians in religious faith, but they now attend the Methodist church. In former years he led an extremely busy and active life, and the rest which he is now enjoying is richly merited, for it has come to him as a direct result of earnest and persistant toil.
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