Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-12-26
CHARLES AlvAA BLACK.

CHARLES AlvAA BLACK.
Died in Gowspds, New York, Dec. III,
1899, Charles Alvsh Black.
Mr.. Black was born at Paris Hill,
Maine, June ID, 1856, and was the only
descendant OF the late Alvsh Black.
His mother was Persis Sibley Black,
whose first husband was Charles Al
drews Of Paris. The subject OF this
sketch was her only son.
AT the early age OF ak years, Charles
A. Black from an accident and from a
consequent Illness, became incursoly
lame. Every effort was made by his
earnest and devoted parents to restore
the use Of his legs, but that could
not be.
The bows mental endowment early
proved TO be OF high order, and with
attendance AZ Paris Hill Academy,
which was very irregular on account OF
Illness, and more particularly under the
instruction OF his father and that OF his
older sister, Charlotte y. Andrews,
(afrerward Mrs. yose) he WAS fitted for
college. At the age OF fifteen, Chas. A.
Black entered Bowdoin College, an I'M
conditioned member OF the class Of 1873.
His intellectual ability gave him rank
AZ the head OF his class, and In Greek he
wss one Of Prof. Sewsll's twelve I'm
mortsls."
After graduation he studied Law, more
because his father desired IL than be-
cause his own choice influenced In that
direction. He pursued the study, was
admitted 10 the bar OF Oxford County,
and had his commission as justice, but
his practice WAS confined 10 one year in
his fathers Office. The profession OF
teaching offered superior attractions 10
him. As an instructor, he soon estsb-
Hshed an excellent reputation. After
teaching in Paris, Norway and Lisbon,
Mr.. Black became principal OF Lincoln
Academy, st Newcastle, Maine. While
holding this position he lost his dearest,
and always faithful friend OF his boy
hood, Charles J. Mellen, whose bright
life went out 80 sadly, and the same
winter (lSSl-2) his father, Alvah Black,
passed from this world most suddenly.
The Young man In lisa, connected
himself as principal with Washington
Academy AZ East Mschiss. Maine, and
In December OF that year Mr.. Black was
united In marriage with Miss Zetts A.
Plummer OF Damariscotts, and she Sc
once entered upon the duties OF teach
ing as her husbands assistant. After a
wear or more az East MaehiSs, Mr.. and
Mrs. Black removed 10 Schuylerville.
NY, where Mr.. Black was superin-
tendent OF schools, and also principal OF
the high school. A four years residence
there was followed by a yesr's work In
teaching At SalAm tncs, y. y, whence
they removed 10 Gowanta, where they
have resided since lS9l. Mr.. Black has
been superintendent Of schools OF the
town, having five hundred pupils In one
building, under his supervision, and AZ
the same time has been principal OF the
high school. Mrs. Black has been his
able assistant and eo-worker through
out the yesrs OF their married life, with
the exception OF one years rest
Through All these years OF useful
activity, Mr.. Black has been hampered
by bodily infirmity, which would have
discouraged less resOlute spirit; pos
sessed OF indomitsb.e will and de-
termination, there WIS mo such word as
fail in his vocabulary" His vigorous
activity manifested itself In varied ways ;
fond OF games, he knew the details or
them sll, aud prseticed many with mark
ed skill. In eroquet, years ago, he was
& most successful player, and fishing
and even cunning were great sources OF
pleasure 20 him. As = member OF the
Buffalo chess club in later years, he has
been recognized as sn expert In that
game.
His love of tools in early boyhood,
wisely fostered by his mother in supply
ing an equipment, developed the skill Of
a first-class cabinet maker. The home
Of his adoption, in Damsriscotts, has
many specimens ofexeellent furniture of
his personal work, and in this he WAS
wholly self-taught.
He often erote for publication, and
had wide range Of Information from
which 20 draw facts without hesitation.
IL seemed that be never forgot an idea
once gained.
In Gowanda his success Ia his school
work has been great, and the past season
the school board gave Mr.. Black the care
ofthe arrangement of the rooms In the new
addition TO the school building, which was
made AZ Sn expense Of sixteen thousand
dollars. The delay In completing this
extension was so great that not until the
current month has the building been
ready for occupancy, and Mr.. Black was
unable 70 organize his school In the i'm
proved school house, which WAS one OF
his keenest regrets at leaving this life
Mr.. Blacks last illness was brief, but
be had had many warnings that his
health WAS breaking. His vitality was
great, and although Ill but two weeks,
he rallied so strongly several times, as 20
keep alive the hope that he might re-
cover, until the day preceding his death
az IL 80 p. N.
Apprecisting the strong grasp in which
disease held him, he faced death with all
calmness. and talked With his aceustom-
ed clesrness in regard 20 bis affairs, and
passed away saying, Il have no fear.
Mr.. Black had fifteen years OF married
life and died on the anniversary OF his
marriage. And thus has passed from
this world In the prime Of his manhood
q courageous spirit, 70 whom obstacles
were things 10 overcome-nothing more.
The funeral Of Mr.. Black was ooserv-
ed at Dsmsriscotts at two P. M. on Thurs
day, the fourteenth inst, Mr.. Matthews
Of the Congregational church, officiating.
The many beautiful floral tributes sent
by the board OF education, the associate
teachers, the various classes of the high
school, the pupils Of the lower grades,
the social club Of Gowsnds, and by In
dividusl friends, gave strong evidence
OF the reputation, and Of the friends, Mr..
and Mrs. Black have earned by their
work and long residence in Gowsnds.
p. N. A.
YoDkers, N. Y, Dec. 10, 1893.