GEORGE BLACK. Among the well-known farmers and breeders of fine Black-Top Merino sheep ranks, is George Black who resides on his farm adjoining Canonsberg. James and Elizabeth (Horner) Black, grandparents of our subject, came from the Cumberland Valley in company with William Horner, making the trip across the mountains in a wagon drawn by four horses. James Black owned a farm in Cumberland County, but was not satisfied with the settlement of his father's estate and after selling his farm he mounted his horse and moved to the wilds of Washington County, known at that time as the "backwoods".
He first settled on the land in North Strabane township now owned by the Samuel McNary heirs, from there he moved to Peters township and for a time lived near Bethany Church on Miners Run, Allegheny County, Pa. His wife died in Peterstownship, April 10, 1834, at the age of 60. He passed away at the residence of his son-in-law, Daniel Hickman in Peterstownship, November 6, 1842 at the age of 72. Both are buried in the Chartiers cemetery, North Strabane township. The children born of their union are: Margaret S., born July 22, 1796 (she was married in 1818 to James Hare, who bought a farm near Claysville, where they both died); Nancy, born March 1, 1798, and married in 1825 to James Lyons (she and her husband died on their farm near Industry, Beaver Co., Pa.); Elizabeth, born May 31, 1800 (she married Thomas Cotner in 1820 and moved to Carroll County, Ohio); William, born June 22, 1802 (married Eleanor Manifold); Sallie, born October 1804, married Daniel Hickman and settled in Stark County, Ohio); Richard, born in December 1806, he married Jane Speer-he was a carpenter and lived in Allegheny City where he died; Robert, born January 9, 1809 (first married Sadie Rankin, and afterward Elizabeth Manifold, he had a farm near Beck's Mill, North Strabane township; James, born May 25, 1812-married Nancy Gilmore, on March 27, 1841, he settled in Bridgeville, Allegheny Co, Pa; and Rebecca, born February 14, 1816, married March 2, 1843 to Robert Johnson)
To each of these marriages were born children. William Horner, brother-in-law of James Black, owned three farms near Beck's Mills, in North Strabane township. He was a member of Chartiers Presbyterian Church and died February 23, 1860 age 82.
William Black, father of subject, was born June 22, 1802, in Washington County, a son of James and Elizabeth (Horner) Black. He married Eleanor Manifold, a native of York County, Pa who came with her parents across the mountains when she was 12. After their marriage, Mr. And Mrs. Black settled on the farm in North Strabane township now owned by our subject where they both died.
William Black was of pure principle and of more than ordinary intelligence. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was an elder in the Chartiers Church for a number of years. Six sons and four daughters were born of their union: Margaret (wife of Rev. William Grimes, of Belmont County, Ohio) Ann (who died at age 12) Mary (wife of Rev. James S. Barr, of Sealkote, North India, where he is a missionary of the United Presbyterian Church Elizabeth who married Joseph Willison of Washington County, now dead William who married Mary Bebout and lived in North Straband township Benjamin who enlisted in the 40th Regiment P.V. as a sergeant and was killed at Gettysburg, he was unmarried. James L. enlisted in the 10th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers; he was admitted to the bar, located in Pittsburgh, and at present is a lawyer in Lumpkin County, Ga. George, our subject Richard who married Flora White, and lives on a farm in North Strabane township Robert who married Margaret White and owns a marble and granite yard in Canonsburg.
George Black was born December 3, 1843 in Chartiers township, Washginton Co. Pa, a son of William and Eleanor (Manifold) Black. He attended the common schools of Canonsburg, learned farming with his father, and upon the latter's death came into possession of the old homestead farm. This land was purchased of James Murray, who had bought it from the old Jefferson College trustees. On January 26, 1871, Mr. Black was married to Jane E., a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Templeton) McNary, born on her father's farm. Mr. And Mrs Black are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg, of which they are liberal supporters. Two sons and one daughter have blessed their marriage, Samuel O.; Benjamin M. and Jeanette. In September 1862 Mr. Black enlisted in the 18th Regiment, Pa Volunteers, and was stationed at Hagerstown, MD but after a few weeks his services were no longer needed and he was sent home.
Our subject is a representative and progressive farmer, unassuming, but practical and reliable. He is one of the few agriculturists who realize that successful farming requires more study, concentration of mind and executive ability than any profession. Mr. Black is one of the organizers of the Black-Top Merino Sheep Breeders Association of Washington County, and was treasurer of this association for two years. He enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him, and is universally considered an upright and honorable gentleman.
Text taken from page 812 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Elizabeth Burns of Phoenix, AZ as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]