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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Cross County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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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 an apprenticeship of three years at 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 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 business men of this section. He is moral, reliable and temperate in all his habits.

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This family biography is one of 103 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Cross County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Cross County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Cross County, Arkansas family biographies here: Cross County, Arkansas Biographies

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