Black, William T.

BLACK, DICK, EWING, BALLARD, COLLINS, STINGLEY

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 6/28/2019 at 08:38:58

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), p. 621:

"WILLIAM T. BLACK is one of the pioneers of Decatur County, he having settled in Decatur Township as early as 1853, with his brother, David, who improved what is now known as the Covington farm, near Decatur City. In 1855 he entered 160 acres on section 6, Fayette Township, which he still owns and occupies. Mr. Black was born October 31, 1831, in Adams County, Ohio, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Dick) Black, the father born in Pennsylvania, of Scotch descent, whose father's name was David, and grandfather's, Robert, of Scotland, and the mother a native of Ross County, Ohio. They were married in Highland County, Ohio, and died in Adams County, of the same State. Of a family of seven sons and three daughters William T. was the eighth child. The daughters -- Margaret, Nancy Jane and Elizabeth D. lived to maturity, of whom Margaret is now deceased. Of the sons only our subject and his brother, David, are now living. David came with our subject to Decatur County, but subsequently removed to Oregon, where he now resides. The brothers deceased are -- Arthur G. and Quinton, twins; Thomas, Cyrus and Isaac McCoy. The father of our subject was twice married, taking for his second wife Mary Ewing, by whom he had two children -- James E. and Rebecca, the latter being deceased. William T. Black, our subject, was married in 1855, to Miss Ithema Ballard, who was born in Tennessee, November 11, 1835, a daughter of John Ballard, who was among the early settlers of Lucas County, Iowa. He died in Kansas several years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Black settled on their farm, on section 6, Fayette Township, in the spring of 1856. In 1858 they rented their farm and moved to Colchester, McDonough County, Illinois, where they resided till the spring of 1862, when they returned to their farm in Fayette Township, where they have since made their home. They are the parents of eight children -- William F., living in Nebraska; Mrs. Sarah J. Collins, of Lamoni; Mrs. Mary E. Stingley, of Nebraska; Cyrus W., in Colorado; Melvina I., Irene E. I., Clara T. and Minnie R., living at home. In politics Mr. Black is a Republican."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)