Submitted by Wilma Younger Norton Thanks Wilma!

From Goodspeeds Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeastern Arkansas:

Dr. J. K. P. Black, Melbourne, Ark. One of the leading and most successful physicians of Izard County is Dr. Black, who has acquired a flattering reputation, and does credit to the profession. He was born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1840, and divided his time in youth between assisting on the farm and in attending the common schools. In 1861 he threw aside the implements of peace to take up the weapons of warfare, and enlisted in Company K, Boon's First Battalion of Cavalry, and served until 1865, when he was paroled at Shreveport, La.

He was engaged in the battles of Elkhorn, Iuka, Corinth, and was sick during the siege of Vicksburg. He came west after the surrender of that place and joined Capt. McCabel's cavalry, and was captured on Saline River, Ark., taken to Rock Island, Ill., where he was kept over a year before being exchanged. He returned home after the surrender and engaged in agricultural pursuits, but also attended school.

In 1870 he commenced to read medicine, and two years later attended lectures at the University of Nashville, from which he graduated in 1876. He then commenced practicing at Melbourne, and here he has remained ever since.

He was married, in 1882, to Miss Susan Morton, of this State, and six children are the result of this union, all living: Edgar and Edna (twins), Thomas K., Ernest, Rufus and Mary.

At the commencement of his life as a public man, the Doctor was not possessed of a great amount of property, but he is now the owner of a large farm of 310 acres, with about 100 acres under cultivation. He is at present erecting a very fine residence, which, when completed, will be equal to any in the county. He is a stanch Democrat, but takes no particular interest in politics. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Black is the daughter of David and Nellie (Garmon) Morton, both natives of North Carolina. The father was born about 1807 or 1808, and came to the State of Arkansas in 1850. The mother was born about 1810, and died in 1881.

Dr. Black is the son of Col. Thomas and Mary F. (Byler) Black, the former born on the 4th of October, 1807. In 1813 Col. Black removed with his father from Williamson to Bedford County, Tenn., and when in his nineteenth year he was elected lieutenant of the militia. When twenty-one years of age he was promoted to the rank of captain, and subsequently in his twenty-sixth and twenty ninth years he was made adjutant major and then colonel of his regiment. When twenty-three years of age he was elected to the Tennessee legislature, where he remained for four successive terms, representing Marshall and Bedford Counties. Within this time occurred the trouble of 1841 and 1842, relating to an ineffectual effort to remove Foster and White from the United States senate; Col. Black being a Democrat, dyed in the wool, voted accordingly.

In 1849 he moved to Izard County, Ark., from which he was sent to represent the county in 1852. In 1856 he was elected county and probate judge, which office he filled successfully for four years, when he was appointed by the governor for two years more. In 1880 he again represented Izard County in the State legislature, and with the expiration of his term of office came the end of his public life. His last years were spent in the retirement of the home circle, but he was at all times keenly alive to passing events. His death occurred at his residence near Melbourne, on the 23rd of June, 1889, when in his eighty second year, and after a long and useful life. When in his thirty third year he became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was at once made ruling elder, a relation to the church which he retained until his death. He was also a member of the I. O. O. F.

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