Benjamin Clayton Black

Born in Rutherford Co, Tn 11/2/1842. He emigrated with his parents to Haywood Co, West Tennessee. At 15, he moved to White Co., Arkansas with his father, mother died when he was 9. His education was received in the common schools of the country, except for one term spent in a boarding school. He was a clerk in a wholesale grocery in Searcy at the breaking out of the Civil War. At 18, he enlisted in Capt. John McCauley's company of infantry, CSA, which was known as Co. A and was attached to the 7th Arkansas regiment of infantry under command of Col. Bob Shaver. While at Bowling Green, Kentucky he had along spell of sickness in consequence of which he was discharged at Searcy and remaining for a few months, he re-enlisted by joining Capt. Will Hicks Co. of Cavalry and was on detached service for several months. Then attached to the 32nd Arkansas Reg., said to be the last volunteer regiment raised in the state. He was in all engagements of that command until after the federals captured Little Rock. He was commissioned to raise a company of which he was elected captain. Then was on detached service with this company until the brigade was organized after which company was joined to the 48th Arkansas cavalry regiment and united to McRaie's brigade. He was on Genral Sterling Price's raid into Missouri. After the raid, he was ordered with his company to surrender, which he did at Searcy March 1865. Winter of 1866 he engaged in the mercanitle business at Searcy and continued in business until 1878. Then elected Sheriff of White County and held office for 8 years. He was appointed postmaster at Searcy by President Cleveland during his 1st term. Served 4 years, then into mercanitle business again until his death Nov. 27, 1906. He served as mayor of his home town several terms and was chairman of Dem. central comt. of his county and congressional district. Appointed member of Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas in 1891 by Gov. Eagle and serve full term of 6 years. Married to Miss Molly Rosamond Jones March 1, 1866. Eleven children were born to them. By Mrs. EL Black