Moses C. Israel 1820-1907

ISRAEL, DEEM, BROWNFIELD, NICHOLSON

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/15/2006 at 15:54:40

Moses C. Israel.

Moses C. Israel was born near the town of Middletown, Butler county, Ohio, on the 20th day of November, 1820, and was therefore at the time of his death, February 12, 1907, 86 years, 2 months and 21 days old.

He came of a family of pioneers; his father Thomas Israel, having been born in Culpepper county, Va., in the year, 1777. When a young man he went to Ohio, where he married Christina Deem, and lived there until his family of eleven children were born and partly reared, when he pushed forward toward the west and settled in the state of Indiana. At the time of his removal to the state of Indiana, 80 years ago, Moses Israel was 6 years old. He located in the midst of the forest on a stream called “Cliffty,” where with the help of his family a home was erected, a farm cleared, and later a saw and grist mill for the convenience of the settlers, and the development of the community, was built and operated by him and his sons. Thus the youth and early manhood of Mr. Israel was spent.

On August 22, 1844 he was married to Ruth Brownfield, who has been his constant and devoted helper through all the trials, tribulations, hardships, joys and sorrows, in sickness and in health; for the past nearly 63 years, and who still survives him.

In 1849 he bid adieu to his father’s family and the friends and neighbors of his youth and in a wagon drawn by two horses, embarked with his wife and children for the prairie of Iowa. After the long and tiresome journey he settled in Van Buren county. The, in the spring of 1854 he moved on and settled on the homestead where he has since resided and reared his family. His life here has been as an “open book,” as those of his friends who have passed on, have, and those who survive will testify.

He was the last of his father’s family, all of his brothers and sisters having passed on before, the last being his brother Joseph, who died at Bonaparte eight years ago.

His religious career began in August, 1847, when he joined the Mt. Moriah Baptist church. Upon his removal to Iowa he withdrew from Mount Moriah and deposited his letter with the Mt. Zion church in Van Buren county, where he retained his membership until the organization of the Ashland Baptist church in the old town of Ashland in the building then used as a seminary, January 31, 1857.

The wife and five children survive him. J. A. Israel of Denver, Colo., R. T. Israel Salida, Colo.; Mrs. Mary Nicholson, H. J. Israel and George P. Israel of Eldon, are the surviving children. The interment was made in the Ashland cemetery. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Riegun, assisted by Jacob Ferrden, and I. C. Allen read the obituary.

Source: Entler Scrapbooks, Vol. 3, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA.