He attended college in Metz before moving with his family to the United States in 1844, settling near Lockport, New York. He moved with his wife to Milwaukee in 1857, where he started a wholesale wine and liquor business. Black was active in politics, having served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, the Wisconsin State Senate, the Milwaukee Common Council, and, in 1878, as Mayor of Milwaukee for a two-year term, a Democrat in a city largely Republican at the time.
He attended college in Metz before relocating with his family to the United States in 1844, settling near Lockport, New York. He moved with his wife to Milwaukee in 1857, where he began a wholesale wine and liquor business. Black was involved in politics, having served on the Wisconsin State Assembly, the Wisconsin State Senate, the Milwaukee Common Council, and, in 1878, as Mayor of Milwaukee for two years, a Democrat in an area predominantly Republican at that time.