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EDWARD  S.  BLACK, of Fairfield, and a native of Wayne County, was born June 24, 1884.  He is a son of William J. Black and Elizabeth H. Stuart; the former was born in Tennessee February 12, 1806, and came to Wayne County, Ill., with his parents, Robert and Elizabeth Black, in the year 1822. They settled in Barnhill Township, about two miles from Fairfield, where both Robert and Elizabeth died, leaving a family of seven children.  About the time of the coming of the Black family, came the family of Hugh and Lucinda Stuart, from Todd County, Ky.  Hugh Stuart, however, was a native of North Carolina. They had two children-- James S. and Elizabeth Stuart.  Hugh Stuart was born in August, 1792, and Lucinda Stuart  was born in Virginia in October, 1792. Hugh died in Wayne County on the 20th of February, 1852, his wife surviving him until November 24, 1866. Too much could not be said in honor of these two persons, had we the space to do them justice. They were regarded bv all as humble Christians, members, and we might say founders, of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Wayne County; possessed of liberal views, and still more liberal hearts, their residence providing a place of worship in the absence of a church, and their door was ever open to the ministers of the Gospel, and their hands extended to assist any one who might need their help. Though no mammoth marble is erected to their memory, their monument is established in the hearts of the people, among whom they lived so long. William J. Black and Elizabeth Stuart were married February 7, 1829. She was born March 6, 1813, and came here with her parents in 1818. They had a family of three children; Hugh P., Edward S. and Elzira, wife of John Moffitt.  William J. Black was also a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a successful farmer until his health failed, which it did several years prior to his death, which occurred July 11, 1868. His wife is still living in Fairfield, her home for the past fifty years. Edward S. Black was chiefly reared by his Grandfather Stuart, and with him learned the trade of blacksmith, at which he has ever since engaged. He was married in Fairfield, July 12, 1859, to Clemence George, daughter of Francis and Lourania George. She was born in White County, III., April 16, 1840. They have six children living and two deceased. Their names are as following: M. Fredonia Black (dead), Sophronia, James E., Earnest, Francis, Edward (deceased)), Lourania and Clara I. Black. The parents and eldest daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Black is a member of the A.O.U.W., and an ardent advocate of the cause of temperance.