From WISCONSIN MEN OF PROGRESS: BLACK, John, ex-mayor of Milwaukee, is justly entitled to the honor and distinction of being classed as one of the most progressive, honored and valued citizens of Wisconsin, as well as of Milwaukee. Foremost in several pronounced movements for the general improvement and advantage of his state and home city, Mr. Black enjoys the satisfaction, in his declining years, of a full realization that his efforts haven not been in vain. The excellent and complete waterworks system of the present day in Milwaukee is largely the result of his personal and continued efforts as an early member of the common council of the city, while, as a member of the state legislature, in both branches, he worked industriously for the general advancement of the state, and now, in his latter days, and with the best [p.631] interests of his much-loved Milwaukee at heart, he is the originator and chief mover in the systematic, organized efforts to secure for the city one or more additional lines of trunk railway for the best interests of all, and because, as he has noted by close observation, the city has naturally outgrown the idea of restriction and favoritism toward roads, and needs additional lines to handle the business, even up the great question of equal and just rates, and to aid the continued up-building of our manufacturing industries, which must look to sufficient transportation facilities and fair rates before complete success can be assured. As a prominent and active member of the Milwaukee Merchant's and Manufacturer's association, Mr. Black recently introduced the important subject of more railway facilities for the city. He found a peculiar feeling of silence existing upon the subject, but, by a rousing speech he changed apparent lethargy into enthusiastic activity, and the result is said to have been the prompt organization of a strong association of leading business men of the city, for the avowed purpose of pushing a matter which has been allowed to sleep serenely and quietly for years in Milwaukee, and which now promises, as a result of the energy; earnestness and influence of John Black, to array itself in the garb of activity and success--the force of Mr. Black's able argument having made itself fully felt. John Black was born and partially reared near the city of Bitche, France-Lorraine, sixty-nine years ago, and was the son of Peter Black, an intelligent and well-to-do farmer of that part of France. Young John was sent to college at Metz, at that time belonging to France, where he received a good education, and in 1844, with his parents and three brothers and a sister, he immigrated to the New World, his parents settling on a farm near Lockport, N. Y., where John entered a school for the purpose of acquiring an English education, but he soon found he was better educated than the teacher, and he entered another school and completed his studies, acquiring an excellent English education in addition to the complete education he had received in his native country. When still a young man, Dr. Black entered the employ of a wholesale grocery and liquor firm at Lockport, N. Y., where he agreed to work for $30 for the first year, $50 for the second, and $80 for the third, including his board and washing. At the end of the three years he engaged with a dry goods house at $10 a month, with board, but his salary was soon doubled as a result of his value to the firm, and his thorough mastery of several languages. Later, he was engaged to look after the sale of the lands known as the Tonawanda swamp, largely owned by ex-Governor Washington Hunt, and by his energy and excellent business tact., Mr. Black succeeded in disposing of a large amount of the land, enriching his employer and making a good-seized sum for himself in commissions. The first wholesale firm he worked for then entered into negotiations with him to go into business as a partner, and after doing so, the young and [p.632] active business man found that he was performing the greater part of the work, and he suggested that the others sell out to him or buy him out. They concluded to buy, and Mr. Black left, with his young wife, for Milwaukee, arriving and settling in this city in 1857. He at once began business on his own hook, opening in the wholesale wine and liquor business, in which he was remarkably successful, going through the great business panic of that period in good condition, although many of his customers went under, Mr. Black never failed to meet a financial obligation, and early in business life established the excellent reputation he still enjoys for honorable transactions, promptness in meeting his obligations, and being fairly disposed to all with whom he had dealings. In a quiet way, Mr. Black has assisted a number of struggling young business men to get upon their feet in Milwaukee, and he was never known to push one of them, although they did not all show that appreciation his assistance suggested was due. Always a pronounced Democrat, a worker in the ranks and liberal in donations to the political cause he loved, Mr. Black was naturally brought into political prominence. He served several terms in both houses of the state legislature, where he introduced measures of importance, in the best interests of the state. He was elected to the common council, in which body his broad-minded ideas of public improvements at once became known and resulted in the move to establish in Milwaukee what is to-day considered one of the best and most complete systems of city waterworks to be found in the country, owned and controlled by the city. Later, when elected to the office of mayor, with the city largely Republican, Mr. Black proceeded to uniform the police force and to make other needed and desirable changes in the internal affairs of the city. And, while in that office, he sat down upon one of the most pronounced ring movements, aimed to control the appointive features of the municipality, that was ever secretly engineered in the city. The scheme was arranged to be sprung during Major Black's absence in Boston, and all his appointments to office were to be overthrown and the acting major was to appoint other men in their places. The trick was heard of by Major Black; he took the first train to Milwaukee, not even taking time to go to his hotel for baggage or to pay his bill, and he walked into the major's office one hour before the scheme was to have been carried out. He was in full charge and the surprised conspirators were so neatly defeated that they dropped the entire scheme, and Major Black carried through every feature of his policy, which was intended, throughout, for the best interests of all. In 1886, Mr. Black was the Democratic nominee for congress, but was defeated. He was a delegate to the national Democratic conventions of 1884 and 1888, and had the satisfaction of working for the nomination of his favorite, Grover Cleveland. Socially, Mr. Black is approachable, genial of nature, warm-hearted and earnest. He is pronounced in his likes and dislikes, and never endorses a man or measure, for the sake of friendship, that does not meet his full idea of integrity or justice. He is always frank and outspoken, and no one need leave his presence under any mistaken impression as to just where he stands and what he thinks. Mr. Black resides in an elegant and comfortable home at 134 Juneau avenue, which home, since the death of his most lovable and estimable wife, which occurred in January, 1891, has been lovingly presided over by his daughter, Miss Elizabeth Black. Another daughter, the only other child living, is Mrs. Clarke, of Chicago, widow of a prominent banker in that city, who died several years ago. Mrs. Black was the daughter of Bernhard Schoeffel, for years a leading attorney of Rochester, N. Y. She was a lady of high culture and rare attainments, with those womanly graces which won for her the love and affection of all near her, and the highest respect of her neighbors and friends. As a monument to her memory, the husband gave a [p.633] large sum of money, some years ago, for the erection of the present handsome spire on St. John's cathedral, of which church he and his daughters are devout members, and the wife and mother was prominently identified with its work.