The W. L. Black Family

Facts by Myrtle Black Templeton

Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Black moved to Jacksonville from Lone Star in October, 1895, and Mr. Black opened a dry goods store in the building presently occupied by Perry Brothers. The store was known as Black and Powell Dry Goods Company.

At that time, Jacksonville had a population of about 1,000 and was without modern conveniences. There were two horse troughs and two wells in town, one at the corner of Main and Commerce and one at the corner of Commerce and Bolton streets. During this early period Jacksonville had saloons and the children of Mr. and Mrs. Black were not allowed to go to town on Saturday. W. L. Black was a Methodist, serving as chairman of the Board of Stewards, a Mason and a member of Woodmen of the World. He died in 1903 at the age of 42.

Seven children were born to this couple, several dying early in life or in young adulthood. Robert, the oldest son, married Pearl Bolton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Bolton, and they had three daughters, Helen B. Barber, a resident of Los Angeles, Frances B. Moler of Bullard and Marjorie B. Loper of Jacksonville. Ruby Black married Dr. John Lang, Lucille Black married H. G. Elliott, and they had a son, who now resides in Houston. Hubert Black died in 1970. The only surviving member of this family is Myrtle, who is the wife of Joe T. Templeton. Mr. and Mrs. Templeton were married August 26, 1919, and have a daughter, Frances, who is Mrs. Prentice Lanier, and lives in Jacksonville. She has two sons and two grandsons.

Mrs. Templeton recalls seeing the first train arrive on the T. & N. O. Railroad, the first car owned by Dr. J. M. Brittain, her uncle Dr. R. B. Longmire as a partner with Dr. F. A. Fuller, and many, many changes in Jacksonville's history, and adds that she hopes to see more.

The W. L. Black home at 715 South Bonner Street was built in 1893, but it remains in excellent repair today and is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Joe Templeton, she being Mr. and Mrs. Black's daughter.