Born September 8, 1846, in Decatur County, Indiana. In 1849, he came with parents to Van Buren County and in 1853, to Wapello County. In 1867, he removed to his present farm of sixty-five acres, valued at $35 per acre. He married Miss Anna Estes December 27, 1865 and they had two children. He enlisted in April, 1864, in Co. K., 47th I. V. I. and served till September, 1864. He has been Township Clerk and Assessor, and a member of the School Board. He was elected to the Legislature on the Democratic ticket, in 1877 and while a member of that body was appointed one of a committee of three on the part of the House to investigate the affairs of the Iowa Penitentiary at Ft. Madison. The investigation disclosed the fact that the State had been defrauded by its corrupt Warden and his accomplices in sums ranging from $150,000 to $200,000. Mr. Israel was a member of the Baptist Church.