History of Lexington, (Holmes County) Mississippi United States of America

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John Charles Black, statesman, was born at Lexington, Miss., Jan. 27, 1839. At the breaking out of the civil war he was a student in Wabash college, Ind., and volunteered in the Union army. His conspicuous bravery won for him early promotion. He was commissioned lieutenant colonel, June 9, 1862; colonel, Feb. 1, 1863, and brevet brigadier-general, March 13, 1865. Throughout the war he displayed qualities that commanded the admiration and commendation, not only of his immediate command, but of his superior officers. He was prominent with his regiment in thirteen battles and skirmishes and in two great sieges. He was wounded at Pea Ridge Ark., and again at Prairie Grove, Ark. These wounds being in his arms, he was incapacitated for field service and entered the invalid corps. At the close of the war he resigned his commission and returned to his home in Danville, Ill. It was his purpose to return to Crawfordville and complete his collegiate course, but he concluded to immediately take up the study of law at Chicago, and in 1867 he was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of Illinois, and to that of the supreme court of the United States in 1869. His remarkable oratorical gifts won him immediate recognition. Important and complicated cases intrusted to him were conducted with ability and success. He was a delegate to the national Democratic convention, in 1872; was U.S. commissioner of pensions, 1885-'89; a representative from Illinois in the 53d congress 1893-'95, and U.S. attorney for the northern district of Illinois. 1895-'99. He received the degree LL.D. from Knox college.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Lexington, (Holmes County) Mississippi

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