Black, Arthur O.

Arthur O. Black, general manager of The People's Telephone Corporation, Butler, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in Connoquenessing, Butler County, May 27, 1892, the son of John H. and Willa (Raisley) Black.

John H. Black was born near Harrisville, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1860. He followed agriculture for several years and then became interested in the oil business. He operated in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, and is still active as an oil producer and contractor. Mrs. Black was born in Whitestown, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Black, who live in Butler, are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He is active in the ranks of the Democratic party, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias. To Mr. and Mrs. Black ten children were born: (1) Arthur O., the subject of this sketch; (2) Harold R., a veteran of the World War, served in the U. S. Infantry as an instructor, resides in Connoquenessing, where he is a salesman for the McIntyre Motor Company; (3) Raymond R., World War veteran, served in France and in the Army of Occupation, U. S. Infantry, First Division, lives in Butler, where he is associated with the Davey Tree Surgery Company ; (4) Caroline Jane, married LeRoy Eisler, city food inspector, lives at Butler; (5) John H., Jr., service department of Westinghouse Electric Company, Philadelphia; (6) Wendell, deceased, buried in White Oaks Spring Cemetery; (7) Willis A., assistant switchman, The Peoples Telephone Company; (8) child died in infancy ; (9) Dean, deceased, buried in White Oak Spring Cemetery ; and (10) James B., a student.

Arthur O. Black attended the public schools of Connoquenessing, Pennsylvania, and Marietta, Ohio, and graduated from Butler High School in 1910. His first position was with the Peoples Telephone Company of Butler, as an apprentice trouble man. In 1912 he went with the Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania as central office man at Washington, Pennsylvania, was later transferred to the Hill Exchange, Pittsburgh, and was later made senior central office man at Grant Exchange, Pittsburgh. In July, 1913, he came to Butler and was made wire chief for the Peoples Telephone Company, where he remained until December, 1916, when he again joined the Bell Telephone Company in the General Engineering Department, Philadelphia, as engineering assistant. In June, 1918, Mr. Black was transferred to the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company, of Washington, D. C., as engineer in charge of the War Department's private branch exchange. In December, 1918, he returned to Philadelphia for the company, and on May 1, 1919, he came to Butler as manager of plant and traffic for the Peoples Telephone Company. When the Peoples Telephone Corporation was formed on October 1, 1925, he was made general manager. Mr. Black has made it a rule to give his attention to the details of the management, thus obtaining a viewpoint that gives him a grasp on the larger responsibilities. He has attained a success which he well merits by virtue of these traits.

In 1912 Mr. Black was married to Miss Effie Lester, a daughter of James and Sarah Ann (Hobbs) Lester, natives of England, and now both deceased. Mrs. Black was born in Manchester, England. The family came to America and located at Crystal City, Missouri, where Mr. Lester was with a glass manufacturing company. He later removed to Butler, Pennsylvania, where he was in charge of the shipping department for the Standard Plate Glass Company. Mrs. Lester is buried in Crystal City, Missouri, and her husband is buried in Butler. To Mr. and Mrs. Black the following children have been born: Jane Anne, Sarah Minta, James Lester, Arthur Otis Jr., Gilbert James, and Carolyn Blanche.

Mr. Black is a member of the Board of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club. He and his wife are active members of the United Presbyterian Church.