The Early Years

William Perkins Black was born on 11 Nov 1842 in Woodford, Kentucky, United States, son of John Black (1809–1847) and Josephine Louise Culbertson (1813–1887).

William's father, Rev. John black died on Saturday, 13 Feb 1847 at the age of 37 years, 6 months, 13 days.

After his father's death, William's mother moved her four small children to Danville, Illinois where she would be closer to her brother, James Culbertson. Josephine would then go on to marry Dr. William Fithian who built a large house in front of the small one and moved his wife and step-children in.

In 1850, William, age eight, resided with his stepfather Dr. William Fithian, the head of household and Physician in Danville Township, Vermilion, Illinois, United States. His mother, Josephine Louise (aka J.L.) managed the home and also raised stepbrother Elisha C. Fithian, Mary, LaRose (aka Lakose), and John (Charles).  As of 1860, William, age eighteen, resided with his stepfather Dr. William Fithian, the head of household and Physician in Danville Township, Vermilion, Illinois, United States. His mother, Josephine Louise (aka J.L.) managed the home and also raised Josephine. In addition, his older siblings John and Mary were residents of the household.

William attended the Danville public schools and was attending Wabash College studying Ministry in Crawfordsville, Indiana, when the Civil war broke out and he joined Lew Wallace's 11th Indiana Voluntary Infantry (1861).

The Civil War

Prior to joining the 37th Regiment in Illinois, William P. Black, a resident of Montgomery County, Indiana enlisted in the Union Army for three months on 23 Apr 1861 as a Corporal. Corporal Black was assigned to the Company I, 11th Regiment, Indiana Infantry. Corporal Black was mustered out on 4 Aug 1861 at Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.

William Perkins Black, a resident of Danville, Illinois enlisted in the Union Army for three years and was commissioned as a Captain. On 18 Sep 1861, he was assigned to Company K, 37th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, the same as his brother, Major John Charles Black. Captain Black resigned his commission on 29 Sep 1864.  Captain William Perkins Black died on 3 Jan 1916 in Chicago, Illinois and was buried in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.

Civil War Engagements with the 11th Indiana Zouaves, 11th Regiment, Indiana Infantry (Organized: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States on 21 Apr 1861; Mustered out: 4 Aug 1861):

Romney, West Virginia, in the Civil War  13 Jun 1861, Romney, Virginia (now West Virginia)

Battle of Pea Ridge, (aka Battle of Elkhorn Tavern), 7-8 Mar 1862, Near Leetown, northeast of Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States, Union Victory

Battle of Prairie Grove, 7 Dec 1862, Washington, Arkansas, United States, Union Victory, for the battlefield, see Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park.

Siege of Petersburg, (aka Richmond–Petersburg campaign), was a series of battles, 8 Jun 1864-25 Mar 1865, Petersburg, Virginia, United States, Union victory

Captain William Perkins Black fought in the American Civil War and along with his brother John Charles Black, received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during the assault at Pea Ridge Arkansas, United States on 7 Mar 1862, while serving with Company K, 37th Regiment, Illinois Infantry.

President Grover Cleveland of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, took pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain William Perkins Black, United States Army, on 2 Oct 1893 for gallantry in action at Pea Ridge Arkansas, United States on 7 Mar 1862. Captain Black single-handedly confronted the enemy, firing a rifle at them and thus checking their advance within 100 yards of the lines.

Medal of Honor Citation:
Single-handedly confronted the enemy, firing a rifle at them and thus checking their advance within 100 yards of the lines.

Of interest is Captain Black is one of five sets of brothers that received the highest award, the Medal of Honor. His brother Bvt Brig Gen John Charles Black also received the award in 1893.

Later Years

In 1867, William Black and Thomas Dent founded the law firm of Dent & Black. As a prominent corporation lawyer. When the Chicago Bar Association was formed in 1874, Captain Black was admitted as one of its first members. Black was best known for having served as defense counsel to the people charged with inciting the Haymarket Riot of 1886.  William Perkins Black Bio Haymarket affair Haymarket Square (Chicago) Haymarket Riot History of Haymarket Riot William Perkins Black

William married Hortensia Mary (MacGreal) Black (31 Dec 1845- 20 Jan 1910; daughter of Peter (MacGreal) Mac Greal and Mary Caroline (Doss) Mac Greal) on 28 May 1869 in Galveston, Texas, United States. They had at least 2 children, unnamed daughter (17 Jun 1873-Unk) and William Paul Black (29 Jan 1886–13 Mar 1951).

The Haymarket Riot of 1886

While a labor meeting was being held in Haymarket Square in Chicago, a bomb was thrown, by some person whose identity has never been established, into the midst of the police, killing seven officers. Eight men were arrested and accused of being responsible for setting off the bomb. These men were the organizers of the anarchist movement. No one would come forward to defend the accused. As a duty to his profession, Capt. Black agreed to take the unpopular case. He jeopardized his practice because of his involvement in the trial. Before the trial, he had been extensively engaged in civil cases and had no experience in criminal law. His defense of the anarchists was above reproach, however, the anarchists were found guilty and some were executed. Years later, in 1893, Gov. Altgeld pardoned the remaining Haymarket participants who were still imprisoned.  William Perkins Black Bio Haymarket affair Haymarket Square (Chicago) Haymarket Riot History of Haymarket Riot William Perkins Black

Death and Burial

Medal of Honor Recipient William Perkins black died on Monday, 3 Jan 1916, at the age of 73 years, 1 month, 23 days at his resident on 8001 Fulton Street, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States.  Those left to mourn the loss of William was one son William P. E. Black.  Funeral services were held on Wednesday, 5 Jan 1916 and conducted at his residence by the Illinois Grand Army of Republic conducted. and is commemorated and interred at Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States