JOHN H. BLACK, a prominent citizen of Woodstock township, is a representative of one of the earliest families of Schuyler county, and is entitled to a space in this history. He was born in Woodstock township, August 2, 1842. His father, James P. Black, was a native of Mecklenburgh county, North Carolina, a son of Richard S. Black (see sketch of Isaac Black). James P. Black removed to Indiana at the age of fourteen years, and resided thee until 1826. Then, with his bride, he came to Illinois; the "wedding journey" was accomplished with a yoke of oxen, the bridegroom walking most of the distance. He located in Woodstock township, and there entered a tract of Government land which he began to improve. It was in this year that the county was organized; there were few white settlers. Indians were numerous, and the frontier was not far removed toward the setting sun. Mrs. Black's maiden name was Mary Padgett; she was born in Kentucky, a daughter of John and Eleanor Padgett, and died on the home farm in 1851. Our subject, John H. Black, received his education in the common schools of Woodstock township, and at the Western Seminary, Rushville. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching in Woodstock township, and was actively engaged in educational labors for more than twenty years.

In 1867 he removed to Richfield, Adams county, and there purchased a home in which he live4d for a few years; his next change was to Quincy, where he bought city property, and thence he removed to Camp Point, where he lived five years; at the expiration of that period he returned to Quincy and made his home there until 1878, when he sold out and bought the farm he now occupies on section 12, Woodstock township.

Mr. Black was united in marriage in 1862, to Telitha Parke, a native of Brown county, Illinois, and a daughter of Oliver H. F. and Mary (Logsdon) Parke, natives of Kentucky, and pioneers of Brown County, Illinois. Of this union five children have been born: Mary, Nettie, John R., Lelia and J. Charles. The father and mother are members of the Church of God. Mr. Black has held various offices of trust, and has represented Woodstock township on the county Board of Supervisors for three terms. For twelve years he was Superintendent of Schools in Adams county, and did much to elevate the educational standard. He is a man of rare force and uprightness of character, and has the respect and confidence of the entire community.