Illinois' John C. Black-- Part 8: A Very Busy Postwar Life

In 1867, he passed Illinois' bar exam and set up a thriving practice in his hometown, Danville, Illinois. Throughout his life, John C. Black held a variety of positions in governmental and veterans organizations.  He ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 1872 and declined nomination for governor in 1884.

In 1884, he declined being vice president of the U.S. on the ticket of Grover Cleveland. he then held the position of Commissioner of Pensions from 1885 to 1889.  He was defeated in bids for Congress and Senate four times,  but then won for one term in Congress 1893-1895.

In 1895, he was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois where he served until 1899.

He was an active member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and Grand Army of the Republic and served as the national commander of the latter group 1903-1904.

From 1904 to 1913, he was president of the U.S. Civil Service Commission and also a frequent speaker on the extremely popular Chautauqua Circuit.

John Charles Black died on August 17, 1915, and is buried in Spring Hill cemetery in Danville.

--Old Secesh