My 4x great grandfather is harden black married to joannah conrad. He was born about 1852 and died 1924 mason county, wv. my question is, why is it that i can find him in 1870 census but not not in 1860? my great great grandma (harden's granddaughter, 1908-2003) mentioned she was of Native American descent. I know that not to be true on her grandmother's side. Could it be possible for her grandfather's side?

i have his death certificate, i have his decendents but nothing about him or before.