Garage and Service Station Operator; born at Toony [Toone], Tenn., March 3, 1896; Scotch-Irish descent; son of James Hardy and Sarah Frances (Walton) Black; maternal grandparents Joseph and Henrietta (Barham) Gray; paternal grandparents James Right and Mary (Gibson) Black. Married November 10, 1921 to Miss Katherine Eugenia Vincenton, to which union were born four children; - Howard Vincent, Joseph Amos, Katherine, and Roy Watterson, Jr. Attended the public schools of Hardeman County; member Cumberland Presbyterian Church; Republican; C. of C. American Legion. Founded the business he now operates in June 1929; it has enjoyed a steady growth until it is one of the largest in his town. Served as Chariman of the Flood Relief for the Federal Government during the early part of 1927. On July 6, 1937, was elected mayor of Boliver [Bolivar], being the first republican ever to be elected to this office. For many years he has been very active in all church and civic work; is now an elder in his church. Answering the call of his country to arms during the World War, he served as an Instructor in Signal Work Station, at Camp Knox, Ky.; discharged March 14, 1919. His grandfather Black was a soldier in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. His hobby is collecting historical data which he furnishes to the public, and especially to the school children of his town.
Source: Prominent Tennesseans, 1796 - 1938; transcribed by Amanda Jowers
