He was the brother of
John C. Black, Commander of the
Grand Army of the Republic, who was also a Medal of Honor recipient. The Black brothers are one of only five pairs of brothers to have received the Medal of Honor. In 1867, together with
Thomas Dent, Black founded the law firm of Dent & Black. As a lawyer, Black was best known for having served as defense counsel to the people charged with inciting the
Haymarket Riot of 1886. He died at his home in Chicago on January 3, 1916, and was buried at
Graceland Cemetery. ==Medal of Honor citation==