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Among the many prominent citizens of Scott county, whose memory will be cherished by many, mention may be made of the late Thomas H. B. Black, who died at his home near Exeter, June 7, 1899. In his life time he was a man of great physical strength, good-natured and kindhearted, and no one was ever turned away from his door hungry or needy. Everybody seemed to be his friend; he had no enemies, and the greatest tribute that can be paid to him is, a good man has paid the debt. He had always been a farmer and was known as one of the best in the county.

Mr. Black was born near Lynnville, Morgan county, Illinois, Jan. 14, 1841. He was the only son of Jefferson and Louisa (Todd) Black, and was left motherless when a mere infant, but under the kind care of a loving father he grew to be a man whom everybody knew to honor for his honesty and uprightness. He was united in marriage with Cynthia S. Adkinson, Sept. 22, 1859. To this union was given two children - William Jefferson and Louisa A. William died at the age of sixteen, but Louisa survives being the estimable companion of Andrew J. Funk,

After the death of his first wife, he was married Dec. 24, 1863, to Sarah A. B. Coultas, who died April 2, 1864. His third marriage was with Mary Funk, May 13, 1866, and to this union were born seven children - Newton, Fannie, Charles, Grace, Margaret E., Daisy and Leonard S. Besides the widow and the children he left two half-sisters, Ellen Angelo, who resides in San Bernardino, Cal., and Mary A. J. Blankenship of Visalia, Cal. Of the children, Mr. Newton Black is now the popular and successful manager of the Alexander Lumber Yard at Spring Valley, Ill.; Fannie married L. C. Buchanan, and resides at the home place; Margaret E., married Dr. P. E. Huffman, and is living at Potosi, Mo.; Charles Black is clerking in a dry goods store at Arenzville, Ill., while Miss Daisy Black is teaching in the public school at Exeter, and L. S. Black resides at home with his widowed mother. Grace died in infancy.