He was born in Dundas County, Ontario, the son of William Black.

[1] After leaving the family farm, Black worked as a trackman for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

[1] Black moved to Parham in 1894, where he operated a general store and worked as a contractor.

He was also involved in lumbering and contracting in the Temagami region.

[2] Black served on the municipal council for Parham and was a justice of the peace and an issuer of marriage licenses.