Jennie Black

Birth: She was born in 1913 at Valentine, Nebraska.  

Family Information: Daughter of Jennie and Felix Black.

Sister of Percy G., Felix V. and Charley Black.

Description:  

Pre-Colony History: In October 1928 she and her father joined her brother Charles in the colony. He and his father had to return to Dakota, but after a time Charles did re-join his sister in the colony. There is no further mention of their father, so perhaps he did not return.  

Home in Colony:  

Job in Colony: In March 1929 the hotel crew included the Mesdames Maki, Swenson and Bridwell and the Misses Kathleen Bridwell and Jennie Black.

Other Info: In 1929 she was often part of the program at the theater; also a senior member of the Glee Club. She sang first soprano as a member of the Senior Glee Club along with Zelma De Fausell, Hope Shoemaker and Kathleen Bridwell; second sopranos included: Ruth Shoemaker, Blanch Porter, Beatrice Jensen, Ruth Kingsbury and Florence Aiton; and alto was sung by: Gertrude Maki, Laura Synoground, Allie Belle Hewitt, Bonnie Enfield and Lois Brattland.

In February 1929 Dixon presented his own one-act comedy, "Soapy," at the colony theater. The cast included: Soapy - Ch. Black; J. Jink - Joe Turner, Silvers - Mr. Doherty, News-boy - Volney Rogers, Mrs. Doon - Mrs. Hewitt, Donnie Doon - Miss Jennie Black, and Laura Doon - Miss Lynne Rogers. It was a fine play and Mrs. Hewitt showed her masterful skill in handing it to J.Jinks with the broom-stick. Dixon showed his proficiency as stage manager in fine shape.

In April 1929 she attended a birthday party held for Billie Busick (five years old) and Charlotte Hewitt (turning four) at the home of Mrs. Minnie Hewitt.

In June 1929 she and Allie Bell Hewitt were the visitors of Jessie and Tottie Wilson of the Savage Forks community. The next day, both girls, along with Mrs. Minnie Hewett and Emma Lea Maxwell, were in Leesville with locals Mr. and Mrs. Geo. H. Wilson and family.  

Post-Colony History: In 1930 she was again living in South Dakota with her father and brother. In October 1930 she married Willis Kelly there.

In 1940 she was living in Nevada with her husband and 4 children.  

Death: She died in 1999, at Everson, Washington and was buried at Hopewell Cemetery there.  

Sources: "Vernon Parish Democrat": February 28, 1929, June 27, 1929; "Llano Colonist": October 20, 1928, February 9, 1929, March 16, 1929, April 13, 1929, April 20, 1929, April 27, 1929; US Census: 1930, 1940; South Dakota Marriages; US Social Security Applications & Claims Index; FindAGrave.com