Robert Miller Black
b. 16 Dec. 1845 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY 
d. 11 June 1899 Sargent Township, near Oakland, Douglas Co., IL

Obituary

Dies After But one Week’s Severe Illness

Remains Were Taken to Greencastle Ind., For Interment. Widely Known He Will Be Greatly Missed

“R.M. Black is dead.”

These are the words which greeted the ears of the people of this city Monday morning. “He died about 9 o’clock 
last night,” they said.

Of course this occasioned surprise on the part of many and yet others, considering the frailty of his makeup 
and thinking that the tenacity of life was not strong in him, anticipated his death.

The cause of his sickness, as we stated last week, was pneumonia, and this doubtless resulted in his death. His 
right lung was all clogged up and shut by the disease and the physician knew that if this condition could not be 
speedily removed, death must ensue. Tho all was done that should be and every care taken, the patient did not 
show strength enough to assist the remedies and throw off the disease and sank away.

Dr. Montgomery came to see him twice and very thoroughly diagnosed the case. Then the family suggested to 
the physician in charge Dr., F.J. Scott of this city, that they be allowed to call their old family physician, Dr. 
Evans, one of the most through and accomplished in Greencastle. Dr. Scott replied that he would be willing 
for them to call any physician of skill, good judgment and honesty. They assured him that Dr. Evans was such 
and he gladly united in the request for him.

Dr. Evans came. He spent an hour and a half in a examination of the patient, even to a chemical analysis. He 
learned what Dr. Scott had done and what Dr. Montgomery also and at last turned to the family and said, 
“Robert has had proper treatment.” If you can keep him quiet and induce him not to worry or move about 
much, good nursing may bring him through.”

But it was not to be. The afflicted limb and the lagrippe had left Mr. Black’s nervous system in an exhausted 
condition and he had not the strength left to rally.

He was kept alive by applications and stimulants until all his brothers, George, Edward and Andrew, ad his 
sister, Mrs. Watkins, arrived and were recognized by the dying man when death did its work.

Conscious almost to the last he said he saw his father, mother and his first wife and, pointing upward, smiled 
as if to say it was well. This is comforting when it is known that early in sickness he feared he would die and 
seemed to shrink form it.

Mr. Black comes of a family of 13 children, 9 girls and 4 boys. They are an unusual family intellectually and 
have a great deal of push, all being well to do. He might be called a rich man. Owning about 340 acres of 
choice land where he lived, several business houses and other properties in Greencastle and some bank stock 
there also.

Robert M. Black was well known to the people of this vicinity as he was a conspicuous figure. Having 
moved out here from Greencastle, Ind., some five years ago he settled on a fine farm northwest of Oakland 
about 4 miles, known as the Sargent farm. Being active and a man of affairs he made money. He purchased 
as great deal of stock and this scattered considerable money.

Brief funeral services were held at the residence early Tuesday morning, Rev. W.W. Wilson officiating. 
The music was furnished by the Presbyterian choir. The body was than brought to Oakland and taken east 
on 9:48 a.m. Vaudalia train Tuesday morning. At Greencastle, the old home of the deceased, the regular 
funeral exercises to be held and interment follow.

In religion his family was Presbyterian tho perhaps he did not hold membership in any denomination. He 
was a man of strong characteristics, yet he had many friends. His family was quite prostrated over his 
untimely death. They have a deep sympathy of a very large circle of true friends in this dark hour.

The G.A.R. boys from Newman came down to accompany their comrade to the train. There were thirteen 
carriage loads of them and their badges told that they were from “Lower Post No. 323.” Their bugler was 
Quince Records, a young hero of the Spanish-American war. The Newman Post telephoned for Oakland 
G.A.R’s. to meet them at the residence if they could but if not to be in readiness to join them when they 
arrived here. They did so and it was along line of old soldier boys that followed their dead comrade to his 
last resting place for them.

At the depot a large crowd of sympathizing friends assembled. As the train pulled out the bugle sounded 
taps which was mournful in the extreme.

Mr. Black left a wife and four children to mourn their loss. What their plans are we do not know. We 
understand it has been Mr. Black’s earnest desire to sell his farm here and buy a home for his wife and 
children before he died. He seemed to have had a realization for a year or two that he would not live long. 
But husband, father, brother, comrade and neighbor is gone. END

Farmer. Civil War, 78th IN Regiment, wounded. 
Marriage: (1) Mary E. Hutchings m. 1873 (1848-1875) (2) Laura Catherine Moore m. 1889 of Arcola, 
Douglas Co., IL (1864-1948)
Children: Robert Overton, George William, Lois Frances, and Andrew Clarence 
Parents: Andrew Black (1807 KY – 1885 IN) and Margaret Lockridge (1811 KY - 1863 IN)
Siblings: 
1) Ardena Black b: 14 Jan 1830 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY + William Dilly Fletcher Whitsitt 
b: 06 Sep 1824 Montgomery Co., KY
2) Louisa J. Black b: 05 Apr 1832 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY + Robert Renick b: 1823 Indiana
3) Mary Ann Black b: 04 Dec 1833 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY + William Tarquin Hawkins 
4) Elizabeth Black b: 20 Nov 1835 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY + William W. Watkins 
b: Abt. 1822 Rutland County, Vermont
5) Margaret L. Black b: 25 Oct 1837 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY + Benjamin S. Peck 
b: 04 Nov 1831 Indiana
6) Sarah A. Black b: 11 Aug 1839 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY + James Valentine Durham 
b: 15 Jun 1833 Indiana
7) Permelia Black b: 20 Jul 1841 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY + Adam Hanna 
b: Abt. 1832 Brown Township, Montgomery Co., KY
8) George William Black b: 27 Sep 1843 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY + Martha Jane Thomas 
9) Jane Frances Black b: 02 Nov 1847 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY + Dr. G. C. Smythe 
b: Abt. 1836 Indiana
10) Virginia Black b: 01 Jan 1849 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY
11) Andrew Alexander Black b: 06 Feb 1852 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY
12) Edwin Ezra Black b: 16 Feb 1854 Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY + Emma Allen, 
*2nd Wife of Edwin Ezra Black + Evelyn Jane Hinkle

Submitted and Transcribed by Brenda Black Watson