Frank X. Black
Frank X. Black, manufacturer of paper-mill machinery, was born in Hamilton, in 1848. He is the son of Peter P. and Mary A. Black. He was married, April 14, 1874, to Henrietta C. Hurm, daughter of Philip J. and Anna Stacia Hurm. She was born in Hamilton in 1848. They have three children. Louisa E. was born May 19, 1875; George F., March 9, 1879; and Frank J., December 9, 1879.
In 1872 he was urged by the paper-makers of this valley to start in the roll-grinding business, and enable them to get their calender rolls reground without shipping them East, which caused extended delays and great outlays for freight. He visited the shops of J. Morton Poole, Wilmington, Delaware, where he found it necessary to learn the grinding business before they would furnish him with the machine. He accordingly began with them, and worked for one dollar per day until he was told he was competent enough to take charge of the grinder, when he was furnished with one. The firm continued to grind rolls until 1876, when the firm was changed to Black & Clawson, and to the grinding business they added other branches, until they began the manufacture of complete machines for making all kinds of paper. They now are making a specialty of this class of work.
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.