For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 379
W. L. BLACK....Among the native sons of Muscatine county who have here attained an honorable name is W. L. Black, of Atalissa. He was born on a farm about two miles from Atalissa, July 27, 1866, and is a son of James and Margaret ( Woods ) Black. The father was born near Boone Lake, Kentucky, and, like many other ambitious citizens of that state, emigrated to Iowa, locating in 1854 in Muscatine county, where he engaged in farming for thirty three years. In 1887 he removed to Audubon county, Iowa, where he lived until called to his final rest at the age of sixty-four years. In politics he was a democrat and assisted to the extent of his ability in advancing the interests of the party. He was a man of good character and devoted his entire life to agriculture and stock-raising. The mother of our subject was a native of Indiana, but was married in Muscatine county and is now living with a daughter at Kingfisher, Oklahoma.W. L. Black was educated in the district schools of Pike township, Muscatine county, and grew up on the home farm, where he became thoroughly familiar with all of the details of farm work. At twenty-two years of age he began to farm on his own account near Nichols, Iowa, removing in 1905 to a location south of Atalissa, where he remained for two years. Being attracted to mercantile pursuits, he took up his residence in Atalissa in 1907, and since that time has been engaged in the grain and coal business. He is the owner of the building in which the business is conducted and also of a handsome rsidence in Atalissa.
In February 1888, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Ruby Nicola, a resident of Nichols, Iowa. Three children have blessed this union, Homer, Elsie and Isabel, all of whom are living at home. Mr. Black has been successful both as a farmer and as a business man. Being quiet and unassuming, he has never sought notoriety nor courted public favor. He has won his way by the exercise of good judgment and sound discrimination and, possessing high character and laudable ambition, he has not made any serious mistakes. As a public-spirited citizen he willingly lends his aid to every worthy cause. He is a stanch adherent of the principles and candidates of the democratic party and fraternally is identified with the Masonic lodge of Nichols, the chapter of West Liberty, Iowa and the Modern Woodmen of America.
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