GEORGE E. BLACK

GEORGE E. BLACK. The student of history does not have to carry his investigations far into the annals of Bucks county without learning that the Black family was among its early settlers. Andrew A. Black, the grandfather of George E. Black, lived in Plumstead township, where he followed boating and various pursuits. He was drowned in the canal at Weissport in 1836. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Closson, and they were the parents of the following named: Anna, wife of O. G. Bird; Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan Smith; Jane, wife of Hugh Major; Isaac; and Andrew A.

The last named was born in Plumstead township, December 25, 1836, and, never enjoying the benefits of a father's assistance, started out in life early on his own account. He followed boating for many years, or until 1873, when the capital he had acquired through his own labors enabled him to engage in other pursuits, and he established a mercantile enterprise and a hotel at Point Pleasant, where he spent three years. In 1876 he opened a stone quarry, and supplied the borough of Doylestown with its curb stones for a year. He afterward engaged in the hotel business for three years in what is now known as the Housen Hotel. He then engaged again in merchandising, which he conducted for three years at Point Pleasant, and during two years subsequent to that time he was proprietor of the Lumberville Hotel. Next turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, he followed farming in Plumstead township for two years, after which he rented the hotel of which George E. Black is now the owner. This the father conducted for three years, and then returned to the farm, giving his time and energies to its cultivation and further development for five years. Again he was in the hotel business for two years, and again followed farming for two years. Once more he conducted a hotel there a year, and returning to the farm, was for five years engaged in the tilling of the soil, prior to November 3, 1902, when he opened a grocery and restaurant in partnership with his son George E., under the firm style of G. E. and A. A. Black, and still remains in this business, having purchased the interest of his son in April, 1904. Whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own labors, for he started out in life empty-handed. The force of his character, his strong purpose and indomitable energy, have been the salient features in his career and have gained him a comfortable competence. Politically he is a Republican, and, while he has never been active in search for public office, he was elected and served as constable of Plumstead township in 1882. He married Miss Susan Rymond, and they have six children: Elizabeth, wife of Frank Kugler; George E.; Anna Mary, wife of Elmer Margerum; Lillie C., wife of Victor Johnson; and three who died in infancy.

George E. Black was born November 12, 1860, at Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and acquired a common-school education. He remained at home with his father until twenty-eight years of age, and during his early manhood was identified with various business enterprises, finding in each transition stage opportunity for further advancement and a broader scope for his labors. He conducted a restaurant in Lambertville, New Jersey, for five years, in connection with the grocery business, and in 1903 purchased the hotel and dwelling house known as the George Closson property, at Lower Black's Eddy. He did not take possession of this, however, until April 1, 1904, but is now successfully engaged in business and is a popular and genial hotel proprietor. As before stated, he was associated with his father in the conduct of a grocery and restaurant, and after selling out became proprietor of the hotel, which is now being conducted so capably that it has won favor with the traveling public. Mr. Black is well known in local fraternal circles, belonging to Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 391, in which he has passed all of the chairs.

Mr. Black wedded Miss Vinnie J. Sine, a daughter of William and Sarah Sine, of Raven Rock, New Jersey, and they have become the parents of two children: Nellie Lulu, born January 20, 1890; and Andrew A., born June 1, 1892.

Text taken from page 427

Davis, William W. H., A. M. History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III