Biography

02/06/1808 - 03/06/1889

Charles Alexander Black (D18) Fayette and Greene Counties 1843 (D22) Fayette and Greene Counties 1844-1848

Early Life:

Charles Alexander Black, born February 6, 1808, Greene County, Pennsylvania; son of Jacob and Margaret Grinstaff Black; grew up on family farm; attended school whenever circuit teachers were in the area; clerked in his brother’s store in Greensboro; read law; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1843-1848; gubernatorial appointee, Secretary, Commonwealth and Superintendent of Public Instruction; delegate, Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, 1872-1874; married, Maria Allison Black, children, Mary Allison Black Inghram, Albert S. Black; died, March 6, 1889 (aged 81) Waynesburg, Greene County, Pennsylvania; interment, Green Mount Cemetery, Waynesburg, Greene County, Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 18th district, Fayette and Greene Counties 1843; Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 22nd district, Fayette and Greene Counties 1844-1848.

Gubernatorial appointee, Secretary, Commonwealth and Superintendent of Public Instruction, Governor William Bigler; wrote “Free School Law,”, corrected several deficiencies in the public school system and would create school districts, 1854.

Delegate, Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, 1872-1874. 

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members B". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Greene Artifacts: Charles Alexander Black - GreeneScene Magazine

Charles A. Black (1808-1889) - Find a Grave Memorial