Daniel Block

Daniel Block (ca.1805 Bohemia-1853 St. Louis)

For complete biographical sketch see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Block

Daniel Block lived for only four years in the United States but he made a lasting impression on the culture of the St. Louis Jewish community to which he belonged. Between his arrival in about 1848, and his death in 1853, he contributed greatly to the organization and development of B'nai El congregation. He was evidently an educated person with a strong commitment to his faith, as well as a businessman with an understanding of money and law. He must have had skills in both verbal and written German and possibly learned English as he went along.

Daniel Block was probably born in Bohemia in 1805 but no birth record has been located. In the 1850 Census he stated his profession as butcher and his birthplace as Germany. The 1850 census entry for his wife Sarah and his children stated they were born in Germany.

His son Jacob was born in Svihov in 1834 according to his death record and tombstone in St. Louis, Missouri where his family moved in the late 1840's.

Daniel's filed naturalization First Papers with the St. Louis Court of Common pleas in the County of St. Louis, Missouri on November 11, 1848. He stated his age as 43 years old. He declared that he renounced allegiance to the Emperor of Austria and that he was born in Germany.

He filed Second Papers and became a citizen on March 24, 1853. This is found in the Missouri State Archives on Reel C 25806, Vol. 2, page 266, Naturalization Records of the St. Louis City Circuit Court-Criminal Court.

At this time the family lived in Ward 1 of the City of St. Louis, close to the Mississippi River and south of the Eads Bridge.

He died six months later and was the first person to be buried in the Mount Sinai Cemetery on Gravois Avenue near the City of St. Louis.