Untitled Document

FRANCIS BLACK

A well-known merchant and prominent citizen of Hampton, has for the long period of fifty-six years been connected with the history of this county, and few, if any, have done more for its upbuilding. He has been a champion of every movement designed to promote the general welfare, a supporter of every enterprise for the public good, and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, industrial, educational and moral interests.

Mr. Black was born February 20. 1815, in Barre, Worcester county, Massachusetts, and is a son of Hon. Archibald Black, a native of the same state, as was also the grandfather, Captain John Black, who commanded a company of minutemen at the battle of Bunker Hill. The great-grandfather, Marmaduke Black, was a native of Scotland, whence he came to America about 1731.

In the state of his nativity, Hon. Archibald Black grew to manhood and married Miss Sophia Caidwell, also a native of Barre, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Seth Caidwell. Her ancestors were originally from the north of Ireland or Scotland and were Protestant in religious belief. The founder of the family in the new world was William Caidwell, who crossed the broad Atlantic and became a resident of Massachusetts as early as 1684. After his marriage Archibald Black located on a farm in Barre, where he reared his family and spent his remaining days. He was one of the leading and influential citizens of the community and was called upon to serve in a number of official positions of honor and trust, including those of sheriff and representative to the state legislature. In his family were three children, two sons and one daughter, but our subject is the only one now living.

The common schools of his native state afforded Francis Black his educational privileges, and he began his business career as a clerk in a country store at. the age of thirteen. When twenty he started for New York, and from there proceeded to Chicago, where he arrived in 1836, and for about five years engaged in the auction and commission business. In November, 1841, he first set foot in Hampton, Illinois, which at that time was the second best town in Rock Island county, and at once established a store, which he conducted alone for some time. Later he admitted S. L. Bretton to a partnership in the business and together they carried on operations for several years, during which time his present store building was erected. Mr. Bretton sold his interest to his son-in-law. Milton Cropster, who was a member of the firm during the year 1858, but since that time Mr. Black has been alone in business. He is one of the oldest merchants in the county, and from the public has always received a liberal patronage, his straight-forward and honorable business methods gaining him the confidence of all with whom he came in contact.

In 1847, in Hampton, occurred the marriage of Mr. Black and Miss Charlotte C, Burton, a native of Maine, who died in 1861, leaving one son, Charles C., who is married and is a leading attorney of Kansas City, Missouri, There was also another son, Archibald L., who died in infancy. On the 9th of October, 1862, Mr. Black was again married, his second union being with Miss Philena Luce, who was born and reared in the Pine Tree state, and when a young lady came to Rock Island county. Four children blessed this union, namely: Sophia, now the wife of William Conant, of Iowa City; Francis C., who died in infancy; Theodosia, wife of Morris Hoay, of Rock Island; and Walter L., who is clerking in his father's store. Though not members of any religions denomination the parents attend the Congregational church and give an earnest support to all objects which they believe calculated to benefit the community or advance the welfare of their fellowrnen.

Since the organization of the party Mr. Black has been a stalwart Republican, and was originally a Whig. Although he has never cared for political honors he has most creditably served in a number of official positions, being postmaster at different times and serving in all several years. When he was first appointed to that position, only two mails were received at Hampton each week and these were brought by wagon. He has also been treasurer of both the village board and the school board for many years, and has faithfully discharged every duty devolving upon him, whether public or private. lie has witnessed almost the entire growth and development of the county and has ever borne a prominent part in promoting its welfare, doing all in his power to advance its interests. Today he is not more honored on account of the enviable position which he occupies in business circles than on account of the many kindly deeds of his life, which have ever been quietly and unostentatiously performed.

Biographical Record of Rock Island

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