Orleans

BLACK, Harry Alonzo & Henry Fayette

Biography of Harry Alonzo BLACK (son of Henry Fayette BLACK)

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 121

Harry Alonzo BLACK, Newport [Orleans County, Vermont], lawyer, was born 22 
November 1879 at Coventry [Orleans County, Vermont], son of Henry F. and 
Melvina S. (BROOKS) BLACK. Educated at Derby Academy. Read law three years 
with J. W. REDMOND at Newport; admitted to the Vermont Bar 1903. Has been 
engaged in law practice in Newport since 1903. Republican; served as second 
assistant clerk of the House of Representatives 1906, and first assistant 
clerk 1908 and 1910. Congregationalist. Member of Memphremagog Lodge No. 
65, Free & Accepted Masons; Cleveland Chapter No. 20, Royal Arch Masons; and 
Orleans Council No. 19, Royal & Select Masons. In 1903 he [Harry Alonzo 
BLACK] married Jennie M. GATES of Newport [Orleans County, Vermont]; they 
have two sons, Henry F. and Raymond G.



Biography of Henry Fayette BLACK (father of Harry Alonzo BLACK)

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, p 34

Henry Fayette BLACK, of East Coventry [Vermont], was born 28 June 1842 in 
Coventry [Orleans County, Vermont], son of Timothy and Almira (BALDWIN) 
BLACK. Educated at the common schools and academy at Coventry. He has from 
early age been a large and successful farmer, making dairying a specialty. 
He has been prominent in town affairs, and held different town offices almost 
continually. He was town representative in 1880-1882, serving on the 
committee of the Grand List, which originated the present system of sworn 
inventories which makes personal property bear nearer its share of taxation. 
Has also been almost continually acting under the authority of the probate 
court, in the settlement of estates and the management of trust funds.

On 19 October 1865 he [Henry Fayette BLACK] married Melvina, daughter of 
Childs and Ann (CHESNEY) BROOKS. Their children are: (1) Myra, Mrs. John 
H. HOWARD, Albion [Orleans County], New York; (2) Orrin H.; (3) Mabel; (4) 
Carrie; (5) Freddie; and (6) Harry A. In his political preferences Mr. 
BLACK has always been a Republican, and though a Baptist in his religious 
belief, he attends and supports the Congregational church.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly