Block



Submitted by Larry Block



In Bohemia Chezslovikia 1782 a child was born by the name of ABRAHAM BLOCK.

His family migrated to the United States as merchants. They temporary settled in Virginia. There ABRAHAM grew up, met, and married Frances J. Their first child DAVID was born there in 1822. ABRAHAM and his family moved to Washington, Arkansas; in Hempstead County and settled there.  He built a two story family home around the year 1850. It is said to have been the first two story building in Hempstead County. It now stands as a monument and is called the BLOCK-CATTS house. The name CATTS is the family who purchased the house and made it possible for restoration. There is no relation between the BLOCKXS and CATTS. ABRAHAM later died leaving a wife, FRANCES, and six children. They were DAVID, Veryinius, Eugine, Juliet, Ellen, and Laura.



DAVID BLOCK became a wealthy merchant of great popularity and high social standing. In 1848 he met and married a Miss AMELIA TRIMBLE. She was a lady of high standing. A native of Virginia, she was born in Charleston, West Virginia, in 1832, and came to Washington with other sisters about the year of 1840 to live with their uncle, Dr. Charles B. Mitchel. Dr. Mitchel was later to bnecome United States Senator. The Mitchels were residents of Washington for many years.



DAVID BLOCK and his wife, Amelia were parents of six children, namely: Estelle, Rosa who became the wife of Judge Joe D. Conway; Julia, married Paul Bocker; Fanny married a Mr. Johnson; and Nellie, who married a Mr. Austin. They (Mr. and Mrs. Block) had one son, ABRAHAM, who never married.



DAVID BLOCK, being a son of great popularity and high social standing, had a Mulatto Mistress by whom he had children. This was a common and accepted practice for a son of his wealth. One such child born to this relation was WILLIAM BLOCK. He was born 1843 and was referred to as "BILL" BLOCK. WILLIAM, hereafter referred to as BILL grew up to become a farmer, a rather successful man for a person of his ethnic makeup. He married NANCY and they became the parents of six children, namely: John, Sherman, LEROY (referred to as "ROY"), Lilly, Berdie, and Dota. BILL married a second time to Ellin and they had two boys: William and Philip.



LEROY "ROY" BLOCK worked on his father's farm until he grew up. He married MARY GILLS. They became parents of five children, namely: DODDIE, TELLIE, MAPLE, TENNYSON, and STELLA. MARY had another son NEAL.



TENNYSON BLOCK worked on the farm until he decided that farming was not for him. He heard a voice saying, "Go West, young man, Go West!" He packed his belongings and headed West. California was his destination. Fate would not have it that he make it. While stopped at the train station in Texarkana he met a pretty girl named HATTIE M. JONES. It was love at first sight. They married shortly thereafter and became the parents of nine children, namely: A.D., married Armedia Williamson; Eatherine married Ozzie Lee Real, divorced and married Jones R. Anthony; Tennyson Calvin (T.C.) married Vanella Jones; Herman who married Betty Graham; James Elwood deceased September 1976, married Ludelia Cheatham; Esterlean married William Scott who deceased 1973; Ruby Jewel married Melvin Johnson; Charles Edward married Betty Sue Hopson divorced, and Mattie Lee.