BLACK, Dayton K. - Dr. - Putnam

DR. DAYTON K. BLACK, a successful physician and prosperous citizen of New Richmond, Montgomery County, Ind., is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Bourbon County, April, 1852. His paternal grandparents, Alec and Mary Black, were of Scotch parentage, and gave to their descendants the energy, thrift and business ability which characterizes so many of "Old Scotias" sons and daughters. Our subject was a son of Matthew and Zerilda (Berry) Black, both natives of Kentucky.

In this state, the birth place of so many eminent men and women, closely identified with the early history of our country, the parents of Dr. Black spent their early years, were educated, grew up to man and womanhood, married and carefully reared eleven children, of whom ten lived to adult age. William W., a minister and disciple of the Christian Church, is now located in Chacago. The Rev. Dr. Black has won a national reputation for force of argument, and earnest eloquence. The second son, Harvey, is deceased; Lydia married Norman Nichols, and now resides in Terre Haute; Wallace is a citizen of Memphis, Scotland County, Mo.; Marion and Harrison are both dead; Dayton R., our subject, is the next in order of birth; Mary P. married a physician, Dr. Payne, of Terre Haute; Albert D. is a popular conductor on the Vandalia Railroad; Mattie E. is the wife of Dr. Burrows, now practicing in Terre Haute.

Our subject was but a little boy when his parents removed from Kentucky, to Putnam County, Ind. It was in the eventful year of 1860, that the family bidding adieu to familiar scenes and old and tried friends, located in their new home. As Dayton Black grew up to manhood he developed a taste for study, which finally determined him to pursue a professional life. He laid a firm foundation for his future collegiate course in the public schools of Indiana. But his boyhood was not all devoted to study. His father was a farmer and the sons were trained to assist in the daily work incidental to agricultural pursuits, and thus alternately busy with his books and working on the farm our subject made his preparations for college the goal of his ambition.

At the early age of seventeen, Doctor Black entered the Depew University, then Asbury, and remained there three years, and then deciding not to complete the course, the following year began at twenty-one years of age, the study of medicine, under Dr. Wilcox, one of the leading physicians of the state. For two years he diligently read medicine, under that successful practitioner, and then entered the college in Indiana, where he attended one year, afterward completing his thorough course of instruction at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which well-known institution of learning he graduated with honor during the college year of 1874 to 1875.

Doctor Black was now fully equipped for the intelligent practice of one of the most difficult and wearing of all professions. He first located in Coatesville, Ind. For two years he remained there, but in 1878 was induced to remove to his present field of labor, in New Richmond, where he soon gained the confidence of the public, and rapidly built up a large and lucrative practice. In 1888 our subject was married to Miss Maggie Jones, daughter of George W. Jones, an old resident and highly respected citizen of Montgomery County. Dr. and Mrs. Black are an important element in the society of New Richmond, and both have a wide circle of friends. Our subject is a progressive man, takes an active interest in public affairs and is politically a Democrat. He is a member of the State Medical Society, also belongs to the Masonic Fraternity and is a Knight of Pythias.