In June 1900, the town of Wiconisco, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, was shocked to hear of the untimely death of one its own, James Israel, son of Civil War veteran Daniel Israel (1838-1902) and wife Hannah [Evans] Israel (1835-1906).
James Israel rose to national prominence as the political editor of the Pittsburgh Dispatch with personal coverage of events such as the presidential campaign of 1896, where he became close friends with William McKinley, The Lykens Register, June 21, 1900, published their own obituary along with the obituary that appeared in the Pittsburgh Dispatch:
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James Israel Dead
James Israel, son of Daniel Israel and wife, of Wiconisco, died last Friday morning at his home in Pittsburgh. Mr. Israel was born and raised in our sister town [Wiconisco] and his sudden calling off was a surprise to this community. As a boy, he was remarkably bright and was a graduate of Millersville State Normal School, and in his youth it was mere play for him to go through the curriculum prescribed for students and have plenty of time to spare. About twelve years ago he went to Pittsburgh and after much discouragement got a position as a reporter of the Pittsburgh Dispatch. From that he rose to political editor. He was a most conscientious reporter, never considering his story finished until he had mastered every detail of it, and his services were invaluable. He became acquainted with many prominent public men and during the last Presidential campaign he was stationed at Canton, Ohio, with President McKinley, and he and the President became warm friends.
By his death he leaves a wife and one daughter to mourn his loss. Besides his parents, one brother, Frank Israel, and sister, Mrs. Charlotte I. Stone, residing in Youngstown, Ohio. His father attended the funeral services and burial which took place at Pittsburgh on Monday.
The following account is clipped from the Pittsburgh Dispatch of Saturday morning, on which paper Mr. Israel gained his reputation:
James Israel, for years writer of politics on the Pittsburgh Dispatch, but more recently city editor of the East End Journal, and one of the best-known newspaper men in Pennsylvania, died yesterday morning at 10:30 o’clock at his home, 4709 Ben Venue Avenue. He had been sick only since Friday last. On that day, while at his desk in the office of the Journal, he complained of pains in his side. He was induced to go home, and that night was compelled to take to his bed. Next morning his condition appeared alarming, and his wife summoned a physician. Symptoms of pneumonia were at once detected. Thursday evening, during the presence of his physician, Dr. L. H. Dravo, he was in a cheerful frame of mind, joking and talking in that bright, entertaining manner which had endeared him to his intimates. About 11:30 o’clock that night he underwent a sudden collapse. He became delirious and gradually grew weaker until 10:30 yesterday morning, when the end came. Present at the time of his death were his physician, his wife and little daughter and Mrs. John A. Clark, a neighbor.
Few men in the newspaper profession attained a more enviable reputation that did “Jim” Israel. he was known as one of the most forceful political writers engaged in the work. beginning at the lower rung of the ladder, he toiled on, finally arriving at a goal which was probably the height of his newspaper ambition. His ability as a writer was not alone responsible for his success. He had a family of making friends, and, having made them, of keeping them. His memory for names and faces was wonderful, and served to heighten the brilliancy of his career. His business took him into crowded atmosphere, but things familiar always appeared around him.
Mr. Israel was born January 21, 1865, in Dauphin County, in the town of Wiconisco, where his parents, who were of Welsh descent, still live. His education, or rather the completion of it, was secured at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, where he was graduated in 1885. For a time he was an instructor in the Mt. Pleasant (Pennsylvania) Institute, the scholars, in many cases being older than the teacher. Then he returned to Harrisburg and entered upon newspaper work. He as not engaged with any one paper, confining his labors to special work. About 12 years ago he was induced to come to Pittsburgh, his first reportorial position being on The Dispatch.
From that time on his advancement was rapid. His abilities were speedily appreciated and as a result the most important assignments fell to his lot. He had a natural inclination for politics and this was permitted to have full sway. The legislative sessions at Harrisburg always found him at the correspondents’ table, and during his 12 years’ connection with this paper, no one else was considered when political conventions were to be “covered.” When State candidates started on their tours through the counties “Jim” Israel was usually one of the party.
During the harrowing incidents of the Johnstown Flood, Mr. Israel began to forge to the front. He was on the field during the time it was thought necessary to keep a correspondent there, and during most of the time a tent was his shelter. He used to tell the story of a discovery the day the tent was torn down. Street cleaners, grading the ground, found four bodies buried in the sand directly beneath where he and his companions had slept.
It is doubtful if there was a newspaper man in Pennsylvania whose name was familiar to so many people. It always accompanied his articles, and, by politicians, at least, they were the first sought out and perused. he knew every politician of note in this State and was intimately acquainted with many in Ohio, West Virginia, New York, and other parts of the country.
Shortly after coming to Pittsburgh, Mr. Israel, while pursuing his newspaper work, engaged in the study of law. Later he entered the office of Attorney Sol Schoyer Jr., and in time was admitted to the Allegheny County Bar. He engaged but slightly in the legal business, however, preferring to devote his time to studying men and chronicling their doings.
Mr. Israel was a member of the Pittsburgh Press Club and always took an active interest in its operation. For a time he was one of its board of directors. A few months ago Mr. Israel severed his connection with The Dispatch and for a time was engaged in work at Washington. returning home he was for a short time on the local force of the Post, going to the East End Journal upon the founding of that paper recently. He was married in 1890 to Miss Mary Hussey, who, with a 4-year old daughter, Marion Israel, survive him. he is also survived by his parents and one brother and one sister. Funeral services will be held at his late home on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock, and private interment will be made on Monday morning, It is probable that Dr. Don S. Colt, pastor of the North Avenue (Allegheny) Methodist Church, will officiate.
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News article through Newspapers.com.
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