The Washington times., 1915-08-17
Was Commissioner Of Pensions
and Later Civil Service CON-
missioner.
ACTIVE IN ILLINOIS POLITICS
Past Commander Of Grand Army
Of Republic Expires at Age
! Of Seventy.five.

CHICAGO. ILL.,. Aug. 17.-Gen. John
c. Black. former United States Civil
Service Commissioner. former United
States Commissioner Of Pensions, past
commander-in-ch Of the g. A. r.,
and . former member Of Congress,
died here today in his rooms at the
Palmer House where he had been
making his home.
Gen. John Charles Black, affecation-
ately known as the "Grand Old Man Of
the q. A. r." was seventy-five years
old. He was widely known in Wash
ington. not only from his connection
here with official life for many years.
but because fhis many visits and
public addresses here since.
General Black was a close friend
Of Col. John McElroy. and he fire.
Quently came here to confer with the
editor Of the National Tribune about
q. A. r. affairs. He was here last
May helping to plan for the general
celegration Of the veterans on Decora-
ton Day. Only last February he
spoke here on behalf Of better treat
ment for aged veterans in the Govern
ment service. at meeting following
the protest Of The Times against their
severance. without pensions, from the
Government service. He was an
earnest advocate of civil pensions for
Government employees and made many
form.
Cannon's Fellow oTwnsman.
When General Black came to Wash
inston he also was apt to be found at
tho National Press Club. He had many
friends among the newspaper men here.
He was born at Lexington. Miss. Jan.
uary ~. 1889. but at an early age was
taken by his parents to Danville, ILL.,.
where he became the fellow townsman
nred in many political battles in which
Mr.. Cannon. then a comparatively young
man. was factor.
Young Black vas educated at Dan
College. Crawfordsvllle. Ind when the
war broke out he was among the first
70 enlist from his State. He Joined the
Eleventh Indiana Zouaves for three
months. these having been organized be-
fore his own State put a regiment in
the field. and at the end Of his enlist
ment he went to Danville and recruited
the Thirty-seventh Illinois: With that
regiment he became a major. and took
part In thirteen battles. from many Of
which he carried wounds until his death
ana IN two great sieRes
In June. 1892. he was promoted to bt
colonel In February. 1863. serving until
August 15. 1865. and being brevetted q
general Of United States volunteers 70,
gal!antry at the storming Of the Blake
ly batteries.
Prominent In Politics.
After the war General Black studied
law and engaged in practice in Dan
vile. where he became prominent. as .
Democrat. In politics. His party wal
much in the minority and he made un
successful runs for a seat In Congress.
in 1875. 1880. and in 1854. In 1872 has wa,
Democratic candidate for lieutenan
governor Of Illinois
In 1892 General Black was elected t.
the Fifty.third Congress. from which h
resigned Just before the end Of his tern
TO become United States attorney 70
mained in that position until 1899.
lie was nominated for governor b,
tho National (Gold Standard) Demo
crets. but declined the nomination an,
lsss to remain IN pSate eT life eFantiie anti De
eember. 1903 whe \ he became a Unite
States civil service commissioner an,
was elected president of the board. II
already had been in Washngton from
lsSS to !sse as United States Commis
General Black held an honorary de
and was made an LII. D. by Knox Col
!eEe, Gaiesburg; III. He was a pas
commander OF the military order Of tn
Of the G. A. r. FOR Illinois in 1907
and was made commander-in-chief G
hte G. A. r. for l903-O4.