John M. Black, Blanding Mill Founder Passes.

John M. Black, 76, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Martha Allan, Wednesday, April 19, of disabilities incident to old age, following a long illness. He was born at Nephi, Utah, November 27, 1856. When he was a small boy he moved with his parents to Dixie in southern Utah. When he was nineteen he worked in the Washington factory. He was married to Theresa Elnora Cox in the St. George Temple, in February 1877. They made their home in Orderville, Utah, and three years later he married Harriet M. Spencer. He moved to Salina, Utah in 1881, where he built and ran a sawmill. Later he moved to Gunnison, where he built and operated his first flour mill. A year later he took his first wife and her six children and moved to Springville, Arizona. He received employment as a miller by D.K Udall, who is now president of the Mesa City temple. Mr. Black remained in Arizona for about eight years, during which time he helped to install four roller mills--at Springville, St. Johns, Mesa City and Taylor. He moved from Arizona to Fruitland, New Mexico in 1897. Here he and his brother, William Black, built another gristmill. He made his home in Fruitland until 1911. During this time he spent some time in Aztec, New Mex., Old Mexico, Cortez and Mancos, Colorado and Monticello, Utah, installing and running gristmills. He came to Blanding in 1911 where he and his sons built the White Mesa mill, and where he has since resided. Five of his sons have taken up milling as a trade, viz: Chester A., John, Edison, Ether, and Owen. His wife Harriet died Feb. 11, 1926, and his wife Thressa (sic) died July 29 of the same year. Since that time Mr. Black has made his home with his children. He was the father of nineteen children, thirteen of whom are now living,. and were all in attendance at the funeral. He leaves seventy-eight grand children and thirty great grand children. The following children survive: Mrs. Lois Wright of Blanding, John M. Black, Jr. of Kirtland, New Mexico, Mrs. Martha J. Allan, Henry Black, Edison Black, Blanding, Chester Black, Monticello, Hatty Norton of Hammond, New Mexico, Ether Black, Bayfield, Colorado, Mrs. Millie Steiner, Cedar City, Utah, Ella Thurland, Kirtland, New Mexico, Paul Black, Mrs. Pauline Smith and Owen Black of Blanding; also the following half brothers and sisters; B.D., D.P., and Morley Black, Mrs. Mary B. Carroll, Mrs. Myrtle Palmer, Mrs. Eva Palmer, Mrs. Hattie Guymon, Mrs. D.A Johnson all of Blanding, Mrs. Sara Young, Idaho, Mrs. Amy Carroll, Salt Lake, William G. Black, Richfield, Utah, Joe Black, Idaho, Miller Black, Huntington, Utah and Orson Black of California. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m Friday, April 21. The speakers were his brother Ben. D. Black, James F. Carroll, and Albert R. Lyman. They spoke very highly of his character, related incidents in his life that has made him the successful, respected man that he has been. Mrs. Josephine Bayles gave a solo. Interment took place in the city cemetery. Many beautiful floral offerings showed the respect and esteem that Mr. Black had in the hearts of his many friends and associates. Several people attended from Monticello as well as a large number from Blanding.

San Juan Record
27 April 1933