BIO: Thomas M. BLACK, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, page 70. __________________________________________________________________ THOMAS M. BLACK, D.D.S., Huntingdon, Pa., was born June 12, 1837, at McAlevy's Fort, Huntingdon county, Pa.; he is a son of the late William and Ann Mitchell Black, both natives of Huntingdon county; the former born at Shaver's Creek, April 7, 1808, the latter at McAlevy's Fort, January 8, 1809. William Black early learned and carried on the trade of carpentry; later in life, he was engaged in lumbering and farming. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Black were; John, a merchant of Pontiac, Ill., died November 5, 1884; Thomas M.; Elizabeth (Mrs. David Walker), of Huntingdon, died July 14, 1877; James T., a prominent physician of Huntingdon, died October 5, 1878. The father's life of industry and usefulness ended June 24, 1852, on his farm near McAlevy's Fort. The mother also departed, February 7, 1877, in Huntingdon. Dr. Black is thus the only surviving member of his family. His early education was received in his native town; after leaving school, he learned the trade of millwright, which he carried on for ten years. In 1872 he began the study of dentistry with Dr. J. H. Hazlett, of Indiana, Pa.; in the following year began practice for himself in the same town. For one year Dr. Black practiced in Illinois; in 1870, he removed to Huntingdon, and has been for twenty years an honored citizen and a successful worker in that town. Dr. Black has served the borough of Indiana two terms as school director, and one term as councilman. He is a Democrat. Thomas M. Black was married at Altoona, January 21, 1881, to Catherine E., daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth Stevenson, of Petersburg, Huntingdon county. One of their three children died in infancy. The others are: Roy E.; and Warren O. The family attend the Baptist church.