ISRAEL, Bess (YOUNG) 1864-19??

ISRAEL, YOUNG, CHAPMAN, ARMSTRONG, HUFFMAN

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 2/27/2014 at 14:53:14

Bess Young Israel

Bess Young Israel, daughter of C. P. and Josephine Chapman Young, was born on a farm near Bonaparte, Iowa, Jan. 2, 1864.

She received her elementary education in the nearby rural school, later attending normal school at Bonaparte and Keosauqua. At the age of 16 she began her career as a teacher. She was well adapted to the calling and taught successfully for five years in the schools of both Van Buren and Lee counties.

On March 7, 1886, she was united in marriage to John T. Israel of Harrisburg township. They were married at the parental Israel home and for sometime continued to reside there. However, when the new house was built on what is now “Meadow Brook Farm,” she and her husband made this their home. Mr. Israel preceded her in death in October of 1907, but she continued to live here, assisted in the conduct of the farm by the one son, Kenneth Young Israel.

Besides being a busy home-maker ____?____ wife, Mrs. Israel was an author of pronounced ability. She found pleasure and inspiration in the two community Library clubs in which she held membership, and from time to time, some of her choice contributions have appeared in print.

As a young woman she united with the Harrisburg Baptist church and to the work of this organization she generously of her many talents. Perhaps she will be longest anst affectionately remembered as the loyal teacher of a large Sunday school class of boys. She was also a member of the building committee when the church was remodeled, and later a member of the committee on church history.

Mrs. Israel was a great lover of beauty, whether she found it in art, literature, or nature. During her declining years she found her greatest enjoyment in befriending the feathered songsters which came to her door and in tending the beautiful flowers of her typical, old-fashioned garden.

Five years ago last winter she received a fall, from which she never fully recovered, and death came as a welcome release from suffering on Friday, June 26, 1942. Her age at the time being 78 years, 5 months and 24 days.

The only immediate survivors are the son, Kenneth and his wife, Mary, who have given loving devoted care throughout the years. She is also survived by two aged aunts, Mrs. Ella Armstrong of Sequim, Wash., and Mrs. Mary Huffman of Hamilton, Ohio, a number of cousins and other relatives, and a host of friends who will miss her genial philosophy, ready wit and loyal friendship.

Funeral services conducted by the former pastor, Rev. Alfred Trenerry of Washington, Iowa; and the present pastor, Rev. E. E. Neiderhuth, were held at the Harrisburg church on Monday afternoon. Members of her former Sunday school class were the pall bearers. Music was by a male quartet, H. C. and Robert Page, Keith Gaston and Leslie Watts with Vale Winslow accompanist. Interment in Sharon cemetery.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, page 68