Henry Black (Representative)

Henry Black (February 25, 1783 – November 28, 1841) was a Whig member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.

Henry Black
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 18th district
In office June 28, 1841 – November 28, 1841
Preceded by	Charles Ogle
Succeeded by	James M. Russell
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office 1816-1818
Personal details
Born	February 25, 1783 Somerset, Pennsylvania
Died	November 28, 1841 (aged 58) Somerset, Pennsylvania
Political party	Whig

Early life

Henry Black was born near the borough of Somerset, Pennsylvania. He engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1816 to 1818. He was elected as a Democrat in 1816.[1] He was a justice of the peace and appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania[2] as an associate judge of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, from 1820 to 1840.

Electoral Tickets

Black was on the People's Ticket (electoral ticket) for the Election of 1828, in the 13th district (John Quincy Adams for President and Richard Rush for Vice President).[3] He was also on the Whig Electoral Ticket for the 24th district in the Election of 1840.[4][5]

United States House of Representatives

Black was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-seventh Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Charles Ogle. The election was held on Tuesday, June 8, 1841.[6] The vote for Black was approximately 2,703 with the opposition (party not named) getting 1,320 votes (Black receiving a majority of 1,383 more votes).[7] The Daily Atlas lists the opposition candidate's name as "Pilson".[7] (However, the same newspaper listed a "Mr. Philson of Somerset" as the opponent in the special election to replace Black after his death.[8])

Death

Black served in the House of Representatives until his death at his residence in Somerset in 1841. The cause of death was apoplexy.[9]

Memorials

Interment in the family cemetery in Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Cenotaph at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

On Thursday, December 9, 1841, his colleague Representative Joseph Lawrence took to the House floor to announce Black's death and provide a eulogy. Lawrence stated that Black was well liked by anyone who came into contact with him. Lawrence indicated that Black was his childhood friend. Lawrence also stated that Black had been in good health the day before his death. Lawrence then submitted a resolution that crepe should be worn in honor of Black's death. The resolution was adopted.[10][11]

According to the Philadelphia U.S. Gazette (reprinted in the Easton Gazette), he was virtuous and well liked.[9]

Descendants

His son was Attorney General Jeremiah S. Black and his grandson was Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Chauncey Forward Black.

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)

References

• United States Congress. "Henry Black (id: B000498)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• The Political Graveyard

Sources

1. Washington Reporter, p. 2, November 4, 1816 Missing or empty |title= (help)
2. Franklin Gazette, p. 2, November 20, 1820 Missing or empty |title= (help)
3. "Electoral Tickets", Berks and Schuylkill Journal, p. 3, July 12, 1828
4. "Whig Electoral Ticket", North American, p. 2, October 19, 1840
5. Philadelphia Inquirer, p. 2, October 13, 1840 Missing or empty |title= (help)
6. Jamestown Journal, The, p. 3, June 10, 1841 Missing or empty |title= (help)
7. Daily Atlas (Boston), 9 (308), p. 2, June 28, 1841 Missing or empty |title= (help)
8. Daily Atlas (Boston), 10 (148), p. 2, December 22, 1841 Missing or empty |title= (help)
9. "Mortuary Notice", Easton Gazette, 24 (51), p. 1, December 18, 1841
10. Philadelphia Inquirer, p. 2, December 11, 1841 Missing or empty |title= (help)
11. North American, p. 2, December 11, 1841 Missing or empty |title= (help)