F. D. Black
F. D. Black, sheriff of Butler County was born September 12, 1849, at Hamilton Ohio, being the third son of Peter P. and Mary (Kirbel) Black, who were both immigrants from Europe. The former was born in France and the latter in Prisssia. They came to America in 199, the mother in company with her parents, but Mr. Black alone. He was twenty-one years of age. His father had served under Napoleon in all his wars, and was one of the survivors of the terrible experiences in Moscow and subsequent retreat. A brother of Mr. Black, who accompanied him to this country, while on a visit to France in 1860, was also a soldier under Napoleon III, and in 1861 went out as captain of a company under General Siegel, and was wounded at Pea Ridge. Peter Kirbel, the maternal grandfather of Sheriff Black, lived to the advanced age of ninety-six having been a resident of Butler County since 1839, and for thirty years prior to his death, in 1873 dwelt with his daughter, Mrs. Black, in Hamilton. Peter Black has been a resident of Hamilton for some forty-three years, and for the greater portion of that time has been know as one of the largest manufactures of the county. He has been one of the active founders of several of the largest establishments in Hamilton, among which is the large institution now carried by Messrs. Long & Alsatter, of which he was the original projector and in which he was interested for many years. He is at present the senior member of the large establishment of Black & Clawson, engaged in the manufacture of machinery for paper manufacturers.
F.D. Black, after attending the schools of Hamilton, entered at the age of thirteen St. Mary's College, at Dayton, where he remained till eighteen years of age. Having acquired a liberal education he now turned his attention to business affairs. In the Fall of 1868 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, in charge of a branch house of Long, Black & Alstatter, engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements, of which his father was a partner. In 1870 Mr. Black withdrew from business affairs, in consequence of his father disposing of his interest in the above firm. He immediately turned his attention to politics and public affairs, and was appointed by Sheriff R.N. Andrews as a deputy, which position he filled with credit, so that upon Mr. William H. Allen succeeding Mr. Andrews he retained Mr. Black in the position he had so well filled. He was appointed by Mr. Marcellus Thomas, who retained him during hi term. Upon looking for a candidate for sheriff in 1879 the Democrats wisely chose Mr. Black. Ten years' experience as deputy recommended him as highly qualified to fill the office and consequently he was elected by a decided majority over his opponent. Mr. Black had during his first term so well performed the duties of his office, and secured the approbation of the public, that he was nominated in 1881 for a second term, and elected by a large majority. Since he assumed the duties of his position he has acquitted himself with great credit, and deserves special commendation for his vigilance and success in the capture of the notorious Jones and Vanderpool, indicted and held for trial on a charge of forgery. Three months were spent by Sheriff Black in tracing them through Ohio, Michigan, and Canada. They were finally arrested about forty miles from Toronto, and extradited. Mr. Black has the honor of having in his position the only extradition warrant in existence signed by President Garfield. By the arrest of these chiefs of forgery and swindling he effectively broke up the system of robbery in this part of Ohio.
Mr. Black was married to Miss Mary Riffle, of Liberty Township, Butler County, who bore him three children, two girls and one boy. The son, Paul, is now being educated at St. Mary's College at Dayton where his father formerly attended, and the two daughters are about to enter Cedar Grove Seminary, in Hamilton County. Mr. Black is a young man of superior native powers, and a mind with proper training capable of filling high positions.
From A History and Biographical Cyclopædia of Butler County Ohio, With Illustrations and Sketches of its Representative Men and Pioneers, Western Biographical Publishing Company, Cincinnati Ohio, 1882.