Harry Black is now the active head of what is probably the oldest mercantile establishment at Albion, and one of the oldest in one location and under the direction of one family in Northeast Indiana.

 

The Black family has been in Noble County for over fifty years.  The ancestry goes bak several generations to about the time of the Revolutionary war, when a German boy came to this country and settled in Pennsylvania.  This German immigrant was the father of Peter Black, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1787.  Peter B lack serve as a loyal soldier in the War of 1812.  His son Owen Black was born in Pennsylvania in 1813, and grew up in Richland County, Ohio.  Owen Black came to Albion, Indiana, in 1856, and in the fall of that year established a partnership with Mr. Love in general merchandising.  Three or four years later he conducted the business himself, and was at its head until 1862.  In that year Samuel Foster became a member of the firm.  In 1863 the store was burned and Owen Black then re-established the business or himself under the name Black & Son.  This title was continued until 1870, when, upon the death of his son and business partner, another son, Jackson D. Black, was taken in.  Finally Owen Black retired, and the firm was Black & Brother for a number of years.  Finally Jackson D. Black took over the business alone and continued it until about 1905, when he took in his son, and the firm has since been conducted as J. D. Black & Son.

 

Jackson D. Black was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 3, 1846, and died at Albion, May 9, 1916.

 

Mr. Harry Black is a son of Jackson D. Black and was born at Albion in December, 1879.  His brother, Albert Black, associated with the business, was called to the army May 15, 1918, and was an instructor at Camp Perry, Ohio, with the title of captain.  He was discharged January, 1919, and is now at home in the same business.

 

Harry Black married Miss Bertha Belt.  They have three living children:  Harry D., born in 1907; Marian, born in 1911; and John, born in 1915.  Mr. Black is a democrat in politics.  The Black mercantile firm is regarded as a fixture and landmark at Albion, and has been doing business in one location for sixty-two years.

 

Bertha Belt, wife of Harry Black, is the daughter of Edwin Belt, who came to Noble County from Newark,Ohio.  He married Eugenia Kline, daughter of John and Louisa (Potts) Kline.  The Potts family were pioneers of Noble County, locating here emore than eighty years ago. 

 

 

Harry Black, History of Northeast Indiana, © 1884, Vol 2, pg. 15.