ALBERT BLACK

 

     Albert Black, who is a native of Washington township, Wayne county, being born June 26, 1876, is prominent in the commercial circles of Humeston in connection with the Old Colony Creamery, with which corporation he holds the position of head bookkeeper.  He has been connected with this large enterprise, the yearly output of which amounts to over one million dollars, since 1896, and through industry, energy and perseverance has reached the important position which he now holds with this concern.

     The parents of Mr. Black were Andrew Jackson and Elizabeth (Snyder) Black, the latter of whom passed away in Washington township, Wayne county, in August, 1878.  The father was married three times and to his first union were born:  Elmer E., a resident of New York, Wayne county, and who has taught school in Lucas and Wayne counties for the past thirty-two years, born February 13, 1863; Mrs. Ada F. Webster, who was born August 13, 1865, and who died March 20, 1913; George H., born November 20, 1867; Charles R., born May 14, 1870, a resident of Taunton, Massachusetts; W. I., born July 20, 1873, a rural mail carrier employed at the Humeston post office; and Albert, of this review.  To the second marriage of the father was born one child, Harry, on February 5, 1881, who is a resident of Wayne county.  Of the third marriage which the father contracted were born six children, four daughters and two sons:  James, born June 23, 1884, of Humeston, Iowa; Alma Harriet, born June 24, 1885, a teacher in the public schools of Pacific Junction, Iowa; Frances F., born April 21, 1887, teaching school near Oskaloosa, Iowa; Mrs. Nellie Willard, a resident of Collbran, Colorado; Mrs. Daisy Shaw, residing in Alex, Oklahoma; and Claude, born June 21, 1895, attending high school in Humeston.  The last wife of Andrew J. Black had a daughter by a former marriage, Mrs. Eliza Catharine Nye, born august 13, 1878, who resides at Centerville, Iowa.  The father operated a farm until 1893, when the family removed to Humeston, where the parents now reside in a comfortable home.

     Albert Black grew to manhood upon his father’s farm and has subsequently been continually a resident of Humeston.  Until sixteen years of age he attended public school and afterward took a course at the Central Normal University of Humeston.  Subsequently he taught school for two terms and then entered the employ of James L. Humphrey, Jr., as common laborer on July 14, 1896, becoming identified with the enterprise of which he is now head bookkeeper.  His ability, diligence and attention to business soon received recognition and he was advanced from position to position until he was placed in charge of the bookkeeping department of the large establishment at Humeston.  He is the second oldest employee of the company, H. D. Hines, general superintendent, having become connected there with only a few days before him, and they have been coworkers ever since.  The business was at first known as the Wayne County Creamery but upon becoming the property of James L. Humphrey, Jr., the name was changed to the Old Colony Creamery and their goods, which are well known from ocean to ocean, are known under that brand.  Mr. Black has in no small measure contributed by his services to the success of the concern and his ability has often received commendation from the management.

     On June 18, 1902, Mr. Black was married to Miss Mabel I. Kahler, a native of Clay township, Wayne county, where she was born June 21, 1883, and where she attended public school and grew to womanhood.  Her parents were William H. and Barbara (Strunk) Kahler, the former a native of Ohio, who died in Humeston, August 12, 1906, the latter now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Black, at Humeston.  In the Kahler family were the following children:  Lola, a child of the former marriage of Mr. Kahler; one who has passed away; Mrs. Myra Watson, residing at Fort Collins, Colorado; W. L., a resident of Livingston, Montana; Mrs. Albert Black; and D. G., of Butte, Montana.  The children were all born and reared in Wayne county, Iowa.  Mr. and Mrs. Albert Black have two sons, both born at Humeston:  Eugene Leslie, born May 21, 1903; and Albert Raymond, born September 13, 1905.  Both are now attending public school in their native city.

     Mr. Black is a democrat and takes an active interest in local public affairs.  He has been elected to the office of city clerk of Humeston and at this writing serves as secretary of the board of education.  Mrs. Black is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which she takes an active and helpful interest.  Their home is comfortable and well furnished and there they extend a warm-hearted hospitality to their many friends.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Black are interested in the higher things of life and well read, being popular in the best social circles of the city.  His energy and industry have found substantial reward in the position which he has attained in connection with the foremost industrial establishment of this section and the creditable record he has made has won him the high regard and confidence of all those with whom he has come in contact.

 

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