Robert Black, a native of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, born about 1770, was one of the early settlers of Cherry township, Butler county. He was married in Huntingdon county, to Elizabeth Grossman, a daughter of Benedict and Betsey (Stivert) Grossman, and in 1797 the whole family came to Butler county.
Mr. Grossman brought out a small stock of goods, opened a store in a log building in Washington township, and placed Robert Black in charge of the same, but the store was soon removed to their new home in Cherry township, where they carried on the business for several years. About 1800 Mr. Black purchased 250 acres of land in Cherry township. Here he cleared a farm and passed the remaining years of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits.