Biographies   York County - South Carolina Genealogy Trails BLACK, HUGH RATCHFORD, M. D., was born in Cleveland county, North Carolina, December 4,1856. His parents were Jefferson and Eliza (Borders) Black. His father was a planter and merchant, and for several years was also superintendent of the Buffalo (North Carolina) paper mills and iron works. He was noted for his honesty and unaffected piety. The mother of the subject of this sketch spent all of her married life in Cleveland county. She was a woman of fine character and kindly disposition, and she exerted a powerful influence for good upon the moral and spiritual life of her son. The great grandfather of Doctor Black, on his mother's side, was Mike Borders, who was born in York county, South Carolina, and settled at the mouth of Buffalo creek, where it empties into Broad river. His father was killed in a skirmish near Blacksburg, in the gap of Whitaker mountain, the day before the battle of King's Mountain. Major Hugh Borders, the maternal grandfather of Doctor Black, was born in York county, South Carolina, August 7,1804, and died December 22, 1888. He was noted for his practical philanthropy, and especially for his consideration for the poor. On the father's side, Dr. Black's great grandfather, Robert Black, was born in Dublin, Ireland. He landed in Charleston, South Carolina, just after the Revolutionary war, and settled on Allison creek, seven or eight miles from Yorkville court-house, South Carolina. His wife, Elizabeth Carroll, was the daughter of Thomas Carroll, who moved to South Carolina from Pennsylvania before the Revolution. He was a Whig and fought all through the Revolutionary war. His clothes were cut more than thirty times, but his skin was never marked. He always carried his Psalm book in his vest pocket. On one occasion a musket ball struck and lodged in his book without harming himself. Hugh R. Black's grandfather, William Black, was born June 19, 1795, in York county, South Carolina. He was in the War of 1812, having volunteered in Captain Beaty's company, which was sent from Yorkville to Charleston, South Carolina. In childhood and youth Hugh K. Black enjoyed excellent health. His home was in the country, and when he was not in school he was required to perform the various kinds of work that usually fall to the lot of a boy or young man whose home is on a farm. Although not entirely pleasant at the time, Doctor Black now believes that this work, a large part of which was in the open air, did much to keep him strong in body, while, by causing him to form industrious and temperate habits and keeping him out of the way of temptation, it has aided him greatly in his efforts to win success. After studying at the common schools in the neighborhood in which he lived, he attended for three years the high school at King's Mountain, North Carolina. In 1879 he taught school for four months in Gaston county, North Carolina, and in the following year he entered the University of Maryland, from which institution he was graduated in 1883 with the degree of M. D. His post-graduate courses were taken at the Polyclinic hospital in New York city in 1891,1895 and 1899. Immediately after his graduation he commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he soon won a high standing in his profession and where he still remains. He was president of the Spartanburg Medical society, 1901-1902; physician and surgeon to the county alms-house and hospital, and is now (1908) president and surgeon to the Spartanburg city hospital. He is also first vice president of the South Carolina Medical association. To some extent he has also engaged in business affairs, having been president of the Bank of Spartanburg, 1902-04, which office he resigned on account of the pressure of professional duties; and for several years from 1902 he was first vice president of the Spartanburg chamber of commerce. In obtaining an education the subject of this sketch had serious difficulties to overcome. Though from childhood he had a natural ambition to succeed, he traces his first strong impulse to strive for the prizes of life to contact with the family physician and with public men, while for the early training of his moral and spiritual nature he owes a great debt to his parents. The most powerful influences which have helped him in his struggle for success in business and professional life he names as school and contact with men in active life. His favorite method of relaxation has been fox hunting.   The only fraternal order of which he is a member is the Knights of Pythias. He has always been a Democrat, but he has never been active in political affairs. His religious affiliation is with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church. In reply to a request that from his own experience and observation he would offer suggestions as to the principles, methods and habits which he believes will contribute to the strengthening of sound ideals and will most help young people who read this sketch of his life to attain true success, he says: "Honesty, truthfulness, and close application, will produce an ideal life and bring true success to young Americans." On January 2, 1899, Doctor Black was married to Mary Louise Snoddy. Of their six children, five are now (1908) living. The post office address of Doctor Black is Number 93 North Commerce street, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Men of Mark in South Carolina By James Calvin Hemphill Published 1907 - transcribed and contributed by Barb Ziegenmeyer BACK to York County South Carolina Genealogy Trails © all rights reserved to the original submitter