Documented History
Albert Cornelius Black was born on Christmas Day, 25 December 1884, according to his WWI Draft Registration Card.
According to the 1900 United States Federal Census, Albert lived with his Mom and Step Dad in 1900 at 517 25th Street, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.
His step father, Jacob Zimmerman – age 41 and born November 1858, was head of household. His mother, Clara M., was also 41 years old and born October 1858.
Albert’s older brother, Edward Black, was 17 years old and born September 1882. Albert was 15 years old, born December 1884. His younger brother, William Black, was 13 years old and born January 1887. Clara reportedly had 4 children, all living.
All were born in Ohio but all parents were born in Germany which is contradictory of itself. Jacob was a Saloon Keeper and owned the house. Edward and Albert were day laborers at the time. William was at school.
Also living with them were Clara’s daughter and son in law. Her daughter, Emma Streibeck, was 19 years old and born December 1880. Her husband, Otto R Streibeck, was 26 and born June 1873. He was from Indiana and worked at the feed store.
In 1910, Albert lived with his mom, Clara, and his grandmother, Wilhelmina Porr. Clara was 51, Albert was 25, and Wilhelmina was 72 years old at the time.
Clara and Wilhelmina were both widowed. Wilhelmina had birthed 8 children, 5 were still alive at the time. Clara had birthed 4 and all were still living. Wilhelmina and her parents were born in Germany. Wilhelmina immigrated in 1879.
Clara and Albert were both born in Ohio. Albert’s father was born in Pennsylvania. Albert worked packing tiles. Clara rented the house.
Marriage
Albert married Katie Amelia Mack on 20 June 1910 in Marion, Indiana, according to Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. His father was Edward Black and his mother was Clara Porr. Her name is misspelled on the marriage record as Cara.
Albert and Katie’s first daughter was born 18 March 1911 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. They lived at 1441 W. 36th St. at the time. Flora was their first child. Albert was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, worked as a Packer, and was 26 years old at the time. Katie was 19 years old, born in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Military
Albert was drafted for World War I on 12 September 1918 while he was living at 1441 W. 36th St. still. His birthdate is listed as 25 December 1884 and his wife listed as Katie Black.
He was Medium Height, Medium Build with brown eyes and black hair. He was 33 years old at the time.
According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, Albert and his wife Katie lived at 1441 W. 36th Street, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana in 1920 with their children and Katie’s sister.
Their children were: Flora – age 8, Albert – age 6, Naomi S. – age 2, and Richard O. – age 0. Albert was born in Ohio but everybody else was born in Indiana.
Albert was a post man at the post office. Katie’s sister, Ruth Mack, was a manager at a drug factory.
Death
Unfortunately, Albert and Katie lost their eldest son, Albert Leroy Black, on 9 October 1929.
He had chronic nephritis and died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis. He had been born on 10 July 1913 and was only 16 years, 2 months, and 29 days old when he passed.
Albert and Katie lived at 2710 E. 40th in Washington Township, Marion County, Indiana in 1930, according to the census. They were 45 and 38 years old respectively.
Their three youngest children lived with them as well. They were: Naomi – age 12, Richard – age 11, and Ernest – age 6.
Albert owned their home and it was worth $3,000. He was 25 and Katie was 18 when they married. Albert was still a mail carrier with the U.S. Post Office.
According to the 1940 Census, Albert and Katie lived at 719 Winton St., Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi in 1940. Albert was 55 and Katie was 48 years old.
Their daughter, Naomi S. Stevens – age 22, lived there with her daughter, Barbara C. Stevens – age 1. Their daughter in law, Marion F. Black – age 19, also lived there with her son, James D. Black – age 5 months.
Albert owned the home worth $4,000. Albert had completed 8th grade, Katie had completed 6th. Naomi completed her fourth year of high school and Marion had completed 1 year of high school.
Albert was still a mail carrier.
This is pretty much all of the information I have for Albert Cornelius Black right now. I was able to get my hands on some pictures of him which I will always cherish. I never met the man but from the sounds of it, he married a wonderful lady and through their family, I exist.
I would absolutely love to get to know this man through any memories that you could share of him. If you happened to know him and/or his family, please let me know in the comments section and I will share it in this post.
For now, take care and hug your loved ones!
~Kris
