Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 220 - 221

WILSON G. BLACK, who is extensively engaged in the raising of grain and stock at his farm on section 3, Valley Center Township, is a native of Ohio, and was born Dec. 27, 1839, beneath the roof of his parents, George Washington and Sarah Ann (Cherry) Black, in Highland County.

            Washington Black and his wife were also natives of the Buckeye State, and made their home there their entire lives, the death of the father occurring Nov. 11, 1876, and the mother passing away April 9, 1883. The former had learned the tanner's trade in his early youth, and followed the same for a period of about forty years, although he at the same time carried on farming. Having acquired a competency by his industry and economy, he finally retired from business, and passed the last seven years of his life in ease and quietness, in Mercer County. Although early in life a member of the Whig party, he in later years voted with the Democracy. Always taking a deep interest in political matters, he was considered one of the representative men of the district in which he lived. He was the parent of twelve children, namely: Thomas Lewis, Rebecca, Jefferson, Benjamin, Wilson G, Mary Elizabeth, Francis Marion, John W., Caroline, Sarah, David, and Martha Ellen, of whom the fourth, the sixth, the eighth, the ninth and the twelfth, are deceased.

             The subject of this memoir remained at home, assisting his father in the labors attendant upon agricultural pursuits, until he had reached the age of twenty-one years. From that time he was engaged in farming on his own account in his native State until December, 1876, when he came to this county. He at first located on a tract of land on section 15, Valley Center Township, where he followed the peaceful vocation of a farmer for about two seasons, and then removed to section 3, where he has since made his home. He is doing a very extensive business in grain and stock raising, and by perseverance and economy has placed himself in very comfortable circumstances. When he was but sixteen years of age he officiated as auctioneer at the first public sale in Green Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, and has followed this considerably since. His reputation as a salesman stands high, and he is considered the peer of any one thus engaged in the county.

             The subject of our sketch and Miss Mary Elizabeth Summers plighted their faith at the marriage altar Oct. 6, 1863. Mrs. Black is the daughter of John and Hannah (Hoskins) Summers, who are residents of Clinton County, Ohio, where her father carries on farming and stock-raising. She was the second of a family of fourteen children born to her parents, and of her union with our subject there were born the children whose record is as follows: Ida May was born Nov. 15, 1864, is the wife of Luther Allen and the mother of three children; they reside in Stafford County, Kan. Minnie F. was born May 29, 1867, was married to George Wilson, is a resident of this county, and the mother of one child; John J. was born Nov. 15, 1870; Lewis E., Jan. 1, 1874, and Selby S., June 18, 1877. The three younger are at home with their parents. Mr. Black is an active member of the United Brethren Church, and has since 1874 been a licensed preacher therein. His estimable wife and their four eldest children are connected with the same. Politically, Mr. B. affiliates with the Republican party, and is ranked as a man of ability and enterprise, on account of which he holds a good position among the people of this township. His property includes 160 acres of good land in Valley Center Township, and forty acres in Stafford County, this State.

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