Pike Township Family Stories
BENJAMIN AND FRANCES BLACK
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, page 199
By Betty BieriBenjamin Black was born 9 March 1812 in Boone county, Kentucky, the son of James Black and Margaret Connely Black. James Black was a government surveyor who was also born in Kentucky. Margaret Connely was of Scottish descent and was born in the Fort at Lexington, Kentucky.
On 23 Oct 1834 Benjamin Black was married to Frances Moore. She was born 8 September 1808 in Spottsylvania county, Virginia. In 1852 the family made the journey from Kentucky to Muscatine county with a team and covered wagon. Here the father purchased land from the government, cultivating it until his death 18 April 1885. Frances (Moore) Black died 15 January 1884. Both are buried in the Nichols cemetery.
Benjamin and Frances had ten children: James, Robert, Lida Jane, Martha, John, Arthur, Benjamin and three daughters who died in infancy.
James C. Black was born 24 August 1838 in Kentucky; he died 28 June 1907 in Audubon, Iowa. His children were William Black, married Ruby Nicola; and Benjamin Black, married Mattie J. Simmons.
Lida Jane Black was born 31 May 1844 in Kentucky and died 10 April 1906 in Orono township. She lived with her brother, John Black, at Conesville.
Martha Black was born 2 January 1846 in Kentucky and died 12 October 1882. She married 24 December 1868 Alfred M. Wilkins in Muscatine. There were four children: Anna Belle Wilkins, Rhoda Wilkins, Minnie Wilkins and Maude Wilkins.
John W. Black was born 31 January 1847 in Boone county, Kentucky, died 2 January 1927 near Conesville, Muscatine county, Iowa. He married 17 January 1883 in Knox county, Illinois, Alice Templeton, daughter of John Wesley Templeton and Mary Frances Crittenden Templeton. Alice Templeton was born 6 March 1853 near Nashville, Tennessee and died 1 April 1939. Both are buried in the Nichols cemetery.
Arthur Lee Connely Black was born 4 December 1848 in Kentucky. He lived in Alabama and never married.
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