Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-03-23
OBITUARY..
ALHxAxDEa BARIxa BLACK.

<AA<4<<A<A<N< A~1A.A<N>E $500
Alexander Barring Black, one Of Els
worth's oldest and most highly esteemed
citizens, died Friday, March Is, in the
ninety fourth year Of his age. Death was
due to old age. While he had been
failing gradually for some time, he kept
about the house, and did not take to his
bed until about week before his death.
His mind was clear to the last, and all his
faculties, barring slight deafness, he re-
tanned to the end, which came peacefully
and painlessiy.
Mr.. Black was born in Ellsworth on
July %, 1916, one Of the eight children Of
Col. John and Mary Cobb Black; they
| were: Mary Ann, who married Charles
Jarvis; John, Henry, Elizabeth, who mar
ried David Dyer; William Hennel, George
Nixon. Alexander Barring and Charles
Richards. Alexander was the last Of his
generation, assuming that the youngest
son, Charles, who left Massachusetts, for
California many years ago, and has never
been heard from, is dead.
Col. John Black, the father Of these
eight children, was born in London; he
came to this country shortly after the
close Of the Revolutionary war, and en-
tered the employ of Gen. David Cobb, who
was one OF washington's aides, and who
came to this section to take up land which
had been granted him - part compensa-
ton for his services in the Revolutionary
war. He also was the agent Of what is
still known as the Bingham estate. He
settled in Gouldsboro.
Col. Black married Mary, Gen. Cobb's
daughter, and . part Of the dover she
brought him was land on the west side Of
the Union river, part Of which 10 now
"wcodlawn', the Ellsworth residence OF
the grandson, George Nixon Black.
Col. Black succeeded Gen. Cobb a. agent
of the Bingham estate. He settled in ELS
worth, and became one of the earliest and
most successful Of her earlier lumber
manufacturers.
In early life Alexander was . member OF
the firm OF Black Bros the two other
members being William II. and Charles R.;
they manufactured lumber and kept .
general store in the building on State
street now occupied by J. A. Haynes and
others. OF . retiring and studious nature,
Alexander soon retired from business, and
throughout his long life busted himself
with his books and mis- garden and his
tools. He was much interested in
masonry, and for many years was treas
urer of Esoteric lodge.
A part of his inheritance was the house
on Bridge hill now occupied by 8. P.
Stockbridge, and there he lived until he
moved to the house on Main street where
he died, and in which be had lived for
about sixty years.
Mr.. Black was married three times. His
first wife was Susan Otis, sister Of the
late Charles Otis, the Otises being OF the
Massachusetts, Otises, of Revolutionary
fame. OF this marriage two children were
born-Sarah Russell, who was married to
Sidney p. Stockbridge, and Henry, who
died in the army in 1854.
His second wife was Susan, daughter OF
the late John NJ. Hale, by whom he had
one child-Sarah Caroline-who married
the late Fred NJ. Jordan. His third wife
was Mary j., widow of Albert Brooks,
who survives him. Besides the widow
anu tne Two uaugnters, ne ieaVes one step
daughter, Ella NJ, widow Of Charles r.
Cole, and three grandchildren-Annie r.
and Henry B. Stockbridge and Susan E.
Jordan.
The funeral Was held at the home on
Main street Sunday afternoon, Rev. 8. w.
Sutton officiating. Interment was at
woodbine cemetery. The pail bearers
were A. w. Greedy, John H. Brimmer,
Thomas E. Hale and David Friend.