CROSS CO, AR - JOSEPH BLOCK - Bio

***********************************************************
Submitted by: Jason Presley <daclyde@usa.net>
        Date: 3 Jan 2004
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
***********************************************************

----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOURCE:  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Eastern 
Arkansas. Chicago:Goodspeed Publishers, 1890.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

     Joseph Block , freight agent for the Missouri Pacific railroad, is a
son of Maurice and Anna Block, his birth occurring in Poinsett County,
Ark., in 1853.  He is unfortunately a deaf mute, but has a bright mind,
and is perfectly capable of filling the position of responsibility
conferred upon him by the railroad company.  He entered the Little Rock
Deaf and Dumb Asylum at the age of fourteen years, and continued in this
institution until eighteen years of age, when he began to learn the
saddler's trade, serving and apprenticeship of three years in Memphis.
He then worked at his trade a short time as journeyman, and received
very good wages.  After this he engaged in business for himself at
Wittsburg as a saddler, but soon began and conducted a saloon under the
firm title of Joseph Block & Co. for two years at the above mentioned 
place.  In 1884 he secured a situation as express agent for the Southern
Express Company, and held this position for one year to the universal
satisfaction of the company and all its patrons.  Later he became assistant
freight agent, and in 1888 he was promoted to general freight agent for
the station of Wynne.  This railroad company employs over 8,000 men, and
Mr. Block is the only mute in their employ.  He is exceptionally brilliant,
and, but for his infirmity, would long ere this have been included among
the prominent businessmen of this section.  He is moral, reliable and
temperate in all his habits.