Charles C. "Charlie" Black

Birth: He was born in 1892 at Valentine, Nebraska.  

Family Information: Son of Jennie and Felix Black.

Brother of Percy G., Felix V. and Jennie Black.

Description: In 1917 he was of medium height with a medium build, blue eyes and light brown hair. He asked to claim exemption on his draft registration since he was a member of the World's Peace Association.

In 1942 he was 5'7" tall, weighed 162 pounds, had dark brown skin, blue eyes and gray hair.

Pre-Colony History: In 1910 he was living in Nebraska with his parents and two brothers and working as a farm laborer.

In 1925 he was single and living in South Dakota. He came to the colony from California in June 1928 and was seen as a young man who'd had quite a varied experience in useful lines of work.

In October 1928 his father and sister joined him 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 his father, so perhaps he did not return.

Home in Colony:  

Job in Colony: In February 1929 he had been "riding a Fordson ever since the sawmill [had] shut down and plowing steadily every day that the weather would permit. In March he and his Fordson and plow had turned over "practically every foot of the farm land."

In April 1929 he, with his tractor and disc, helped out at the orchard.  

Other Info: In 1928 he was one of the founding members of the local Conscientious Objectors Union; Theodore Atworth served as the first Secretary-Treasurer with O.E. Enfield serving as the President. The organization was planned to be international, composed of people who refused to go to war as a matter of conscience. Charter members included: Theodore Atworth, Mary H. Atworth, Emily H. Dougherty, I.A. Dougherty, Carl H. Gleeser, S. Weislander, Charlie C. Black, John Hight, Lowell H. Coate, W.A. Shutt, F.O. Jernberg, Reka Jernberg, Anna Tabb, Peter Kemp, F. Rosenburg, B. Wade Hewitt, Hamilton H. McClurg, W.J. Hoag, Theodore F. Landrum, C.N. Butts, Mary Snyder, George Snyder, Anna Garrett, Emma Shutt, M.A. Brattland, Richard P. Condon, Jr., Emily Swenson, W.J. Newman, George T. Pickett, Raymond DeFausell, S.E. Baldwin, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Molenar, Earl L. Bosch, Guy F. Rogers, Ora E. Newman, James J. Miller, Bert Busick, Mabel D. Busick, Ole Synoground, C.C. Mickey, Fred A. Jensen, Katie Mickey, F. Rahn and Isaac H. Keyes.

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.  

Post-Colony History: In 1930 he was again living in South Dakota with his father and sister and working as a farmer. He was still living in South Dakota in 1935 -- at that point in Rapid City.

By 1940 he had moved to Eureka, California and was working as a skipper in the fishing industry.

In 1942 he was working at Con's Coppermines at Kimberly, Nevada when he registered for the U.S. Draft. He listed his brother, Percy, as his next-of-kin.

Death: He died in 1945 at Josephine, Oregon and was buried in Granite Hill Cemetery at Grant's Pass, Oregon.  

Sources: US Census: 1910, 1930, 1940; South Dakota Census: 1925; "Llano Colonist": June 30, 1928, October 20, 1928, December 22, 1928, January 12, 1929, February 9, 1929, February 16, 1929, March 9, 1929, April 27, 1929; US Draft Registration: WWI, WWII; US Applications and Claims Index; Oregon Death Index; FindAGrave.com