Alameda County Biographies

E. D. Block

Transcribed by Peggy Allen, April 21, 2006

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
 

	Emanuel D. Block, of Oakland, is now the pioneer merchant of Alameda County.  He is a 
native of Bavaria, but came to the United States when very young.  In 1852 he reached 
California from New York, and soon sought out a desirable location in which to commence 
merchandizing.  His natural sagacity soon convinced him that his side of the bay would rapidly 
develope, and he selected San Leandro as the most desirable and central place in which to 
locate in the newly formed County of Alameda.  There, then, he established himself in the year 
1853.  He was young; so was the county; and both had a bright future before them.  Both have 
now absolutely realized that future. San Leandro soon became the county seat, and business 
flourished.  The store occupied by Mr. Block in San Leandro is the one now occupied by Mr. 
Ferdinand Meyers. 
	In 1863 Mr. Block opened a dry-goods store in Oakland, still carrying on his general 
store in San Leandro.  The place he first occupied at the present county seat was in Valdez� 
block, on the east side of Broadway, between Fifth and Sixth streets.  His next move was to 
Delger�s old  block, on the opposite side of the street, and there he continued, gaining 
customers and increasing his business, till October, 1869, when he removed to the then new 
block on the corner of Broadway and Ninth streets, �away up town.� Here his business so 
increased that the aid of a desirable partner became necessary; and in 1871 he admitted Mr. 
Andrew Barnes Bennison, a young gentleman who, by his address and tact as a dry-goods clerk, 
had won very favorable opinions, into partnership with him.  Since then the business has gone 
on increasing in a remarkable manner.  In 1874 it became necessary to build an addition of 
forty feet to the store, and now its full length of 100 feet is shelved and filled to the 
ceiling with all kinds of seasonable fancy and staple dry goods, the stock on hand at present 
being very extensive.  Twelve persons, including the principals, are employed in this mammoth 
establishment, and it is enlivening to behold the stream of richly dressed ladies that are 
constantly entering and departing.  It is encouraging to see a pioneer thus prosperous. 

Centennial Yearbook of Alameda County, California - Oakland, Calif., 1876 Pages 547-548