Bio by Cheryll Morris Sumner (great-granddaughter):

Born in 1841, Elkanah L. Black was the son of James M. and Mary Ann Burkett Black. Elkanah was known as "Elkane" and L. Caney to his family and friends.

On Mar. 8, 1862, at age 20, E.L. Black enlisted in Georgiana as a private in Captain McKee's Co., Alabama Volunteers, Co. D., 33rd Ala. Inf., to fight in the WBTS. He was enlisted for 3 years or war by D. McKee. He appeared on a muster roll dated Apr. 7, 1862, saying "traveling 16 miles to place of rendezvous." He was shown on a receipt roll for "Commutation of Rations" dated 1862(?) from May 31 to June 20. Signer's name was John T. Young. Remarks said "Paid June 1, 1862. Soldier sick, unable to sign" (Corinth, Miss.). He was present for muster roll dated Mar. and Apr. 1863, saying he was last paid by Lt. Linthicum to Feb. 28, 1863. He was present for muster roll for May and June of 1863, last paid by Capt. Milner to Apr. 30, 1863. He was present for muster roll July and Aug. , Sept. and Oct., Nov. and Dec. 1863, paid by Capt. E.C. Milner. He was wounded in 1864. He was shown as having been a prisoner of war at some point, but no dates or details were given. He appeared on a register of paroled Confederate soldiers for the month of June, 1865, by Maj. Ross Wilkinson, A.D.C. and Provost Marshall, 16th A.C. (date June 16). His parole was shown as follows: Headquarters 16th Army Corps, Off ice Provost Marshall, Montgomery, Ala. June 16, 1865--"I the undersigned E.L. Black, Pvt. Co. D, 33rd Ala. Inf., do solemnly swear that I will not bear arms against the United States of America, or give any information, or do any military duty whatever, until regularly exchanged as a prisoner of war. It is signed E.L. Black (his mark). His description is given as follows: Height--6 ft. 0 inches Hair--light Eyes--grey Complexion--fair. It goes on to say "I certify that the above parole was given by me on the date above given, and the above named private will not be disturbed by the United States authorities so long as he observes the conditions of his parole, and the laws and regulations in force where he resides. By order of Major General A.J. Smith. This is signed by J.A. Sexton , Capt. 72 Ill. Inf., and Ass't Provost Marshall. Uncle Herston Black remembers being told that Elkanah had to walk all the way home from Montgomery after his parole.

Elkanah L. (E. L.) Black married Elizabeth Lee Nov. 22, 1866, in Conecuh County, Alabama. They lived in Georgiana, Butler County, Alabama, in a very nice log cabin with a detached kitchen. Between 1868 and 1885, they had nine children: Jim, "Did," Vick, George, Lonnie Ben, Arvilla, "Betheny," Hugh, and Bill.

According to several newspaper articles and documents I have collected, Elkanah owned a large farm but found time to be civic-minded in his community. He served as an officer of the Sepulga Lodge in 1879 and 1883, served as a delegate from Georgiana to a Butler County Beat Meeting in 1882, served as petit juror in 1889, served as Justice of the Peace in 1891, served as a grand juror for Beat 14 in 1900 and 1902, ran for Commissioner in the 4th District in 1902, served as a delegate in 1904 and an Executive Committee Delegate for Beat 14 in February 1905.

Elkanah Black died on April 2, 1905. According to his estate settlement, dated Aug. 14, 1906, he divided approx. 1187 acres of land among his widow and nine children.
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Obituary from the Montgomery Advertiser, April 5, 1905
E. L. Black Drops Dead
Georgiana, April 4, --(Special)--E. L. Black, a well known citizen of Butler County, dropped dead last Sunday at his home four miles southwest of this place. He got up as well as usual, fixed for breakfast, took a smoke, arose, laid his pipe on the mantel piece, sat down again and in a moment fell over in his son's lap and died almost instantly. Mr. Black was a good citizen, a kind neighbor and friend, with fine intelligence and will be greatly missed in his community. He left his family in comfortable condition.
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This article appeared in the Greenville Advocate Jan. 10, 1906:
"In Memory of E.L. Black"
"Whereas God in his wisdom did on the 2nd day of April 1905 call from labor to refreshments our worthy and esteemed brother E.L. Black; Therefore be it resolved, 1st-- That while as a lodge we do most humbly bow to the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe, we sadly feel the loss of a brother so good and true. 2nd--That in the death of Brother Black the Lodge of which he was a member has lost one of its brightest lights; the county in which he lived, one of its best citizens; the community, a faithful servant and a good neighbor; the family, a kind husband and father. 3rd--That the heartfelt sympathy of the members of this Lodge is extended to his family in their sad bereavement, and that we most earnestly point them to Him who reminds us that we too are passing upward toward that far off country from whose bourne no traveler returns, and who alone can comfort and sustain us in this world's trials and troubles. 4th--That a copy of these resolutions be spread on the record of the Lodge and a copy furnished to his family; also that a copy be sent to the Greenville Advocate and the Evergreen Courant for publication." It was signed "Committee. S.H. Gamble."
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The epitaph on his tombstone on his grave in Providence Cemetery reads, "His many virtues form the noblest monument to his memory."

Providence Cemetery is located in Tsp. 9N. Rng.13E. Sec. 26.