CROSS CO, AR - JOSEPH BLOCK - Bio *********************************************************** Submitted by: Jason Presley 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.