Hon. Joseph A. Black

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A resident of Wyoming for nearly a quarter of a century and occupying during
much of that time a position of commanding influence in the civil and
political councils of the territory and state, Hon. Joseph Black, of the Big
Piney section of the country, has been a potential force in the settlement
and development of his portion of the state, and has exhibited in his work
here the self-reliance, strength of mind, courage and general
resourcefulness he acquired in a varied and eventful experience elsewhere.
On August 23, 1853, in the state of Indiana his life began as the son of B.
F. and Louisa (Matthews) Black, the former a native of Kentucky and the
latter of Indiana, both being children of ministers in the Christian church
and prominent men. The father was also a minister of that faith and a
veteran of the Civil War, in which he served as master of transportation in
his command. They were the parents of eight children, five boys and three
girls, of whom six are yet living. Joseph A. Black was educated in the
public schools of Indiana and at a reputable private school in Iowa whither
his parents had removed before he was of age. In 1873 he sought the free and
adventurous life of the plains in Texas where he rode the cattle ranges and
followed trail work, continuing this in every state and territory west of
Missouri until 1890, a part of the time serving as foreman in charge of
extensive interests. In 1881 he came to Wyoming and within her promising and
rapidly improving bounds he has since resided, carrying on a prosperous and
extensive stock industry on a tract of 320 acres of land which he owns and
has well improved, and on which he has fine herds of graded Hereford cattle
and on which he has resided continuously since 1890. Mr. Black is a
Freemason, belonging to Evanston (Wyo.)Lodge, NO. 4, and he manifests great
interest in its progress, although so situated that he is unable to be a
frequent lodge attendant. He was elected a member of the Wyoming legislature
in 1900 and was re-elected in 1902. His course in the body was highly
commended and his services to his constituents were of great and appreciated
value. Although a Republican in politics, he is free from extreme
partisanship and sees the interests of his county with breadth of view and
in an enterprising spirit.

He was married on January 1, 1887, with Miss Mary Jaycox, a native of
Illinois, at the time of the marriage living in Wyoming. They have five
children: Ida, Orline, Edna, Joseph A. and Mary. Mr. Black is one of the
leading citizens of the state and takes an active and intelligent interest
in all her affairs. He has been a resident of Wyoming since 1880 and has
made substantial contributions to her development and improvement.

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Progressive Men of Wyoming
Illustrated Chicago, Ill. A. W. Bowen & Co., Publishers and Engraved 1903

Found at http://www.angelfire.com/ne/PhyllisGenealogy/josephblack.html

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		   History of Uinta County, Wyoming
		      The Piney Country, Wyoming

http://www.wyominggenealogy.com/uinta/piney_country_wyoming.htm

 Joseph A. Black, a native of Indiana who had acquired considerable
 experience in the cattle business in other western states came to the
 Budd & McKay ranch in 1881. In 1890 he took up land and was very
 successful. He married Miss Mary Jaycox, daughter of a rancher, and
 five children were born to this union. Some twenty years ago the
 family contemplated moving to California and went west to look up a
 suitable location. Mr. Black's verdict on returning was that he
 "could make more money sitting on a rail fence in Wyoming than in
 working twelve hours a day in California." However, as the necessity
 for work grew less the family moved to the more genial region of
 South Pasadena.