The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-26

Robert T. Black, one of Scranton's
oldest and best known citizens. died at
$50 o'clock last evening at his home at
POI Franklin avenue, after having been
confined to his bed by Illness for four
weeks. Nervous prostration, from which
Mr.. Black had been a constant sufferer
for the last two or three wears, was
the cause OF death. About three months
ago he suffered from a violent attack
of illness, and his death was feared,
but he recovered and six weeks ago
seemed hale and hearty for his ad-
vanced age,he being seventy-nine years
old.
Just about n month ago, however, he
had a sudden RELAPSE. Drs. Wehlau
and Fisher gave him medical attend
ance, but almost from the first it was
seen that he could not recover. He did
not seem to suffer pain, but gradually
sank lower and lower. For the last six
hours of his life he was unconscious
and while in that state passed away,
without any pain or agony.
His wife, a daughter and two sons
survive him. The latter are Mrs. c. +.
Judson, OF Wyoming, and Robert T..
Black, jr., of this city, and Thomas A.
Black, of New York. One brother,
Moses Black, of Mansfield, o., and two
sisters, Mrs. Alexander Grant and Miss
Black, of GAINESVILLE, o., also survive
him. They are the only ones left iE a
family OF ten sons and two daughters.
Mr.. Black was a good husband, a kind
father and an upright citizen, and his
death will be mourned by many.
FUNERAL TUESDAY.
o'clock Tuesday afternoon, with SER
vices at the home. Rev. DR.. James
Mcleod, of the First Presbyterian
church, will be in charge of the SER
vices, after which interment will be
made at the Dunmore cemetery. The
remains may be viewed Tuesday at the
home by the friends of the deceased.
During the period of his residence in
Scranton, Mr.. Black was identified
with many Of the leading enterprises
for the advancement of the city and
county, and gave his support to all
plans for the promotion of the welfare
OF the people. He assisted in the or
ganization of the Second National
bank, of Wilkes-Barre, and served as
one OF it's directors for more than
twenty years.
In the Vulcan Iron works, of Wilkes.
Barre he holds an interest, and at diff
ferent times served as vice-president
and president OF the Lackawanna Val
ley bank. He was filling the latter
position at the time of it's reorganiza'
ton al the Lackawanna Trust and Safe
neit 1,i1
liberal and generous, prompt in con-
tributing to charity, he had retained a
sufficient amount of property to pro-
vide his declining years with every
comfort.
His home contained many luxuries
not the least of which is his carefully
selected library, and many of his owr
and his wife's happiest hours were
| spent in the perusal of the best litera
ture Of this and other ages.
ORIGINATED IN SCOTLAND.
The Black family originated in Scot
| land, whence General James Blacl
went to Ireland in the time of Oliver
| Cromwell and became the proprietor o
| two townships there. Mr.. Black!
| father. Joseph, was a son of Pete
| Black, a native of County Donegal
| and farmer by occupation. The for
mer was engaged in the manufactur,
| of linen, which he sold to the whole
sale trade. He died at the age Of fifty
six.
| His wife, who bore the maiden nam,
of Jean NJ. Spencer, was a daughter o
John Spencer and a descendant o
Scotch forefathers.
| The subject of this sketch was borr
Oct. 1. 1921, at Rath Melton, six mile
| from Londonderry, in county Donegal
Ireland. In boyhood he attended tn
school in which Robert Bonner wa
also a pupil. the two living in tn
same square. In 1912 he took passag
on the sailer Lafayette from London
derry, and after a voyage of six week
arrived in Philadelphia, from whicl
city he proceeded to Ohio. After clerk
ing for a time in store owned by hi
brothers, John and Peter, he tool
charge Of a store in McConnellsville
and few years later went TO Spring
field, where he began in the retail mer
camille trade. During the eight year
he remained there he met with excel
lent success that encouraged him L
seek a larger field. Going to Philadel
phia he embarked in the wholesale DIR,
goods business, purchasing an interes
in the firm of Eschrick, Penn & Com
pany, that had been in existence sine
1911. He became the active manage
Of the concern and it's property wa
largely enhanced by his sound judg
ment.
WENT TO WILKES-BARRE.
In 1861 he sold his interest in tn
business to his brother and five year
later changed his residence to Wilkes
Barre, There for a year he was in
terested in the Vulcan Iron works an
later in the coal business.
About 1867 Mr.. Black came to Scran
ton where he has resided continuousl
since. For some time he was connect
ed with two brothers-in-law in coa
operations at Minooka and was treas
urer and general manager Of the Penn
sylyania and Susquehanna Coal com
pany. At first there was but one col
liery, but he built another and oper
ated the two for a number Of year:
making shipments by the Delawar
and Hudson and the Delaware, Lack
awanna and Western. About 1873 h
sold his interest in the company. Fo