Andrew C. Black was born in North Ireland in 1828 and came to Springfield, Ohio in 1847. He worked with his brother Robert at his general merchandise business, later buying out Robert's shares and establishing the dry goods and carpet store Black Bros. and Co. in 1853 with his other brother William and cousin, J.K.

Wed to Octavia C. Briggs in 1860, the couple had four children with Anna and Warder reaching adulthood.

In 1869, Andrew built an opera house in downtown Springfield at the northwest corner of Fountain and Main. Black's Music Hall (aka Black's Opera House) opened with the play "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" on Feb. 4, 1869. The 1,500-seat theater was, for many years, the only place for entertainment in town.

Black Bros. and Co. continued in the dry goods and carpet business on the first floor of the opera house. The building was destroyed by fire in 1903, and the location is now home to Hull Plaza.

Andrew was a respected member of the Springfield community, was involved with the establishment of Ferncliff Cemetery, and was director of the Springfield Savings Bank from its inception, for a time being vice-president.

On July 21, 1892 Andrew Black died after a short bout with pneumonia.

Andrew C. Black is interred in Section A, Lot 65 of Ferncliff Cemetery.