San
Joaquin County
Biographies
CHARLES A. BLACK
One of the most sagacious, versatile
and public-spirited men who have assisted materially in bringing the city of
Lodi up to her present position among the municipalities of California, is
Charles A. Black, conspicuous for his worth and ability. He was born in Alleghany County, Virginia, in
1851 and when three years of age, his parents removed to Monroe County, where
he was reared and educated, remaining there until 1881, when he removed to
Tazewell County, Virginia, and engaged in farming in the Abbs
Valley. He started a dairy with five
cows and when he sold out in 1904 he had 323 acres of fine land in native
grass, well stocked with cattle, sheep, hogs and dairy cows, and was one of the
most prominent and influential men in the county. He was a member of the road fund committee
and served for two years, using his efforts and influence for a bond issue of
$100,000 for road improvements; he also served for nine years as a member of
the school board and through his efforts the school district became solvent. Mr. Black, from early boyhood, was obliged to
depend on his own resources and by thrift and industry won an enviable position
in the community. When he arrived in
Tazewell County, he was in debt, but honest toil and close application to
business brought him the reward he so richly deserved. When he purchased his farm, an old colonial
house was on the place; this he improved with additions and made it one of the
finest residences in the county. In 1881
he drove the first stake for the survey of the Pocahontas coal district which
has become the famous steam coal district of Virginia. The first vein opened was twelve feet thick
and produces the best steam coal in the world.
Mr. Black first visited California
in 1901; and in looking for a location in which to make his permanent home, he
selected Lodi as being best fitted for his needs. Returning to Virginia, he disposed of his
holdings for a handsome sum and in 1904 he permanently settled in Lodi,
purchasing the Steven Williams place east of the city, consisting of ten acres
in Tokay grapes, with a new house on the property. At the time of purchase he paid $750 per
acre, the highest price paid for a vineyard at that time. Two years later he sold his farm at a good
profit and purchased a block in the city on South School Street, consisting of
two and one-half acres. He has since
disposed of all his real estate with the exception of his home place. Mr. Black then became actively associated
with the fruit and grape packing industry, his first active work being with
Wilson H. Thompson in the Pacific Fruit Exchange; later he was with the Acampo
Packing Association and also with the San Joaquin County Table Grape Growers
Association of Lodi. He was made
chairman of the standardization committee of Lodi, whose duties were to pass on
the fruit and grape packs. He was elected
chairman of the board, thus becoming mayor of the thriving and prosperous city
of Lodi. During his last term of office,
many substantial and permanent improvements were made, among them being the
municipal bath house, and the land for the city park was purchased and
improved, adding greatly to the attractiveness of the city and the comfort of
the citizens. Much needed improvements
were made on the streets during his tenure of office that are of lasting value
to the city.
Mr. Black’s marriage on November 17,
1880, united him with Miss Princess Palmyra Moore, a native of Virginia, a descendant
of the historic Moore family of Tazewell County, who settled there in early
days, suffering the privations and discouragements of pioneer life. Mrs. Black is a daughter of Andrew P. and
Nancy Cummings Moore, farmers in Tazewell County, Virginia. Her grandfather, James Moore, was captured by
the Indians when a lad of fourteen years and taken to Ohio. At Chillicothe the Indians traded him to a
French-Canadian for an old gray horse and he was taken to Canada. In due time his relatives
discovered him and he was returned to his old home. Meanwhile, two years after his capture, the
Indians made a raid into the settlement.
Great-grandfather James Moore was shot and killed and the
great-grandmother of the subject was burned at the stake and several of the
children were killed. Mrs. and Mrs.
Black are the parents of three children:
Mrs. Ora L. Stille; Glen A., a graduate of
Heald’s Business College and an all-around mechanic, who during the war was for
four years in the employ of the Holt Manufacturing Company as a mechanic; now
he is field superintendent for the Pacific Fruit Exchange; Charles C. completed
his education at Heald’s Business College and when eighteen years of age
entered the First National Bank of Lodi as bookkeeper, being later promoted to
assistant cashier of the Central Savings Bank.
When the Citizens Savings Bank was established he accepted the post of
assistant cashier, a place he has since filled.
The three children are all residents of Stockton. Fraternally Mr. Black is a member of Lodi
Lodge No. 256 F. & A. M., while Mrs. Black is a member of the W. R. C.;
both are members of the Methodist Church.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
1020-1023. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Biographies
Golden Nugget Library's San Joaquin County Genealogy
Databases