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Evans Wilson Black

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Evans Wilson Black

Birth
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death
21 Feb 1932 (aged 78)
North Loup, Valley County, Nebraska, USA
Burial
North Loup, Valley County, Nebraska, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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"The North Loup Loyalist", North Loup, Nebraska, Friday, Feb 26, 1932, p 1.

The death of E. W. Black on Sunday at 1 p.m. came as a surprise to many people, who knew that he was ill, but did not know that the end was near. Anemia sapped his strength and day by day, left him weaker, until last Saturday when he began to sink quite rapidly.

Mr. Black's death deprives North Loup of its most interesting and one of its most esteemed citizens. Since his confinement to his home the past few months, his cheery greetings have been missed on the streets and in business houses and it is with sincere regret that The Loyalist, of which he was the founder, must now report the passing of its good friend.

Evans Wilson Black, youngest of five children of Henry and Orpha Brown Black, was born at Fort Necessity, Pa., December 27, 1853. Reared in a country where schools were at a distance and roads blocked in winter, his school days were limited to a few months each year while he was young, then ceased. Yet, Mr. Black was probably without exception, the best educated man in this part of the state, for he was a natural student. He was almost an authority in many lines of study, was more conversant with the Bible than many a church member, but his favorite study from a boy was geology. From the Atlantic to the Rocky Mts. by way of Nebraska and the Black hills, he was a regular textbook of knowledge at first hand. While still a young man in the hills of Pennsylvania, he decided where he was sure there was a layer of coal. The engineers laughed at him, but later found it, just as he said.

He helped blast a way for the Baltimore and Ohio R. R., worked on the boats on the Monongahela and Ohio rivers, and in the Spring of 1880 came to Valley Co. with two older brothers, James and Alex. Her he worked at the carpenter trade with the late N. G. Clement, both at Ord and at North Loup. He spent one summer as post carpenter at Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Before leaving he walked 80 miles to climb and explore Mt. Gregory. He made the trip there through wild rough county in two days to the amazement of the soldiers. Years afterward he was post carpenter at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, where he made trips into the Black Hills and the Bad Lands, and was three years in a similar position at the National Soldier's Home at Washington, D. C. From all of these places he collected specimens until he had one of the finest private museums in this part of the country.

Years ago he prepared a chalk talk on the geology of Nebraska for the benefit of the Woman's Missionary Society of the S. D. B. church, and lately gave a similar interesting talk to the No Lo club.

December 28, 1884, he married Miss Nellie Chase, of this place. In October, 1887, he founded, and for several years edited The Loyalist. In this paper he began a vigorous campaign for irrigation which resulted in the building of the North Loup ditch.

In 1923 his wife's health failed and he gave up everything to be her sole and devoted nurse until her death October 18, 1828.

Four children were born to him and his wife, a daughter who died in infancy; Georgia, Mrs. L. O. Greene of North Loup; Lora, Mrs. A. G. Fisher, who died at Edinburg, Texas, in October, 1930; and Henry Chase, of Detroit, Michigan. There are also ten grandchildren.

Mr. Black had the poetic temperament and many of his poems have been published. He was a man of strong opinions and always stood decidedly for everything for the betterment of the community, yet his views were always expressed kindly and courteously, and he was universally liked and respected. He was a friend to all but many of his deeds of kindness were unknown, sometimes even to the recipient. He had a profound belief in the Eternal Rightness of things. His interests were wide enough to include the remotest star. In the depths of the earth and the waters of the sea he could read the thoughts of his Creator.

About six months ago his health began to fail, gradually, until, in October, he had to give up his place in the Sabbath morning worship. Since November he has not left his home and for several weeks has been confined to his room. He did not suffer except from extreme weakness and fatigue. He was a model of patience and never failed to voice his gratitude for the least service. Many besides his family feel they have lost a dear friend and the world one of its finest gentlemen.

Funeral services were held at the S. D. B. church Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 following a short service at the house. Rev. Hurley S. Warren was in charge of the services. Music was furnished by a mixed quartette consisting of Mrs. Clara Holmes, Mrs. Ava Johnson, A. D. Moulton and Del Barber, who sang 'Crossing the Bar,' 'Abide With Me,' and 'Jesus Savior Pilot Me,' with Mrs. Warren at the piano. Pallbearers were, Edgar Davis, James Johnson, Glen Barber, Tom Hamer, Beecher Van Horn, and Glen Johnson. Interment was made in the North Loup cemetery.
"The North Loup Loyalist", North Loup, Nebraska, Friday, Feb 26, 1932, p 1.

The death of E. W. Black on Sunday at 1 p.m. came as a surprise to many people, who knew that he was ill, but did not know that the end was near. Anemia sapped his strength and day by day, left him weaker, until last Saturday when he began to sink quite rapidly.

Mr. Black's death deprives North Loup of its most interesting and one of its most esteemed citizens. Since his confinement to his home the past few months, his cheery greetings have been missed on the streets and in business houses and it is with sincere regret that The Loyalist, of which he was the founder, must now report the passing of its good friend.

Evans Wilson Black, youngest of five children of Henry and Orpha Brown Black, was born at Fort Necessity, Pa., December 27, 1853. Reared in a country where schools were at a distance and roads blocked in winter, his school days were limited to a few months each year while he was young, then ceased. Yet, Mr. Black was probably without exception, the best educated man in this part of the state, for he was a natural student. He was almost an authority in many lines of study, was more conversant with the Bible than many a church member, but his favorite study from a boy was geology. From the Atlantic to the Rocky Mts. by way of Nebraska and the Black hills, he was a regular textbook of knowledge at first hand. While still a young man in the hills of Pennsylvania, he decided where he was sure there was a layer of coal. The engineers laughed at him, but later found it, just as he said.

He helped blast a way for the Baltimore and Ohio R. R., worked on the boats on the Monongahela and Ohio rivers, and in the Spring of 1880 came to Valley Co. with two older brothers, James and Alex. Her he worked at the carpenter trade with the late N. G. Clement, both at Ord and at North Loup. He spent one summer as post carpenter at Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Before leaving he walked 80 miles to climb and explore Mt. Gregory. He made the trip there through wild rough county in two days to the amazement of the soldiers. Years afterward he was post carpenter at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, where he made trips into the Black Hills and the Bad Lands, and was three years in a similar position at the National Soldier's Home at Washington, D. C. From all of these places he collected specimens until he had one of the finest private museums in this part of the country.

Years ago he prepared a chalk talk on the geology of Nebraska for the benefit of the Woman's Missionary Society of the S. D. B. church, and lately gave a similar interesting talk to the No Lo club.

December 28, 1884, he married Miss Nellie Chase, of this place. In October, 1887, he founded, and for several years edited The Loyalist. In this paper he began a vigorous campaign for irrigation which resulted in the building of the North Loup ditch.

In 1923 his wife's health failed and he gave up everything to be her sole and devoted nurse until her death October 18, 1828.

Four children were born to him and his wife, a daughter who died in infancy; Georgia, Mrs. L. O. Greene of North Loup; Lora, Mrs. A. G. Fisher, who died at Edinburg, Texas, in October, 1930; and Henry Chase, of Detroit, Michigan. There are also ten grandchildren.

Mr. Black had the poetic temperament and many of his poems have been published. He was a man of strong opinions and always stood decidedly for everything for the betterment of the community, yet his views were always expressed kindly and courteously, and he was universally liked and respected. He was a friend to all but many of his deeds of kindness were unknown, sometimes even to the recipient. He had a profound belief in the Eternal Rightness of things. His interests were wide enough to include the remotest star. In the depths of the earth and the waters of the sea he could read the thoughts of his Creator.

About six months ago his health began to fail, gradually, until, in October, he had to give up his place in the Sabbath morning worship. Since November he has not left his home and for several weeks has been confined to his room. He did not suffer except from extreme weakness and fatigue. He was a model of patience and never failed to voice his gratitude for the least service. Many besides his family feel they have lost a dear friend and the world one of its finest gentlemen.

Funeral services were held at the S. D. B. church Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 following a short service at the house. Rev. Hurley S. Warren was in charge of the services. Music was furnished by a mixed quartette consisting of Mrs. Clara Holmes, Mrs. Ava Johnson, A. D. Moulton and Del Barber, who sang 'Crossing the Bar,' 'Abide With Me,' and 'Jesus Savior Pilot Me,' with Mrs. Warren at the piano. Pallbearers were, Edgar Davis, James Johnson, Glen Barber, Tom Hamer, Beecher Van Horn, and Glen Johnson. Interment was made in the North Loup cemetery.


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