From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902. 

Typed by Laurie Birks Dean

pp. 499-500

Addison ISRAEL, county assessor of the city district of Ohio county, 
West Virginia, has served in that capacity since 1896.  Mr. Israel 
was born October 12, 1850, at Chester Hill, Morgan county, Ohio, of 
Quaker parentage.  He is a son of David and Hannah (Kirby) Israel.
	David Israel's death occurred while serving in the army at the 
age of forty-two years.  Mrs. Israel lived in Wheeling for five 
years, after which she went to Zanesville, Ohio, where she lived with 
a daughter until her death, in 1895, at the age of seventy-five 
years.  Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Israel, namely:  
Elwood, deceased, who was a cigarmaker; Addison; George, who is a 
coal miner at Zanesville, Ohio; Kirby, who is a cigarmaker at 
Washington Court House, Ohio; Elzy D., who is foreman at Pollack's 
cigar and stogie factory on Water street, Wheeling; Mrs. Abraham 
Harris, who died in 1892; and Mary (Dickerman), who lives at 
Zanesville, Ohio.
	Addison Israel lived in his native town of Chester Hill until 
he was twenty years old.  He learned the trade of cigar making, and 
after locating in Wheeling in July, 1870, was employed by Mr. Pollack 
in his factory, making cigar and stogies.  He then worked five or six 
years as a journeyman, after which he engaged in business for 
himself.  For sixteen years he conducted business at the corner of 
Eoff and Sixteenth streets, and for two years was located on Main 
street.  He employed two men, manufactured stogies, and did both a 
wholesale and retail business.  Owing to his declining health, caused 
from close confinement, he closed out his business, and engage in 
politics.
	Mr. Israel was elected to the office of county assessor of the 
city district in 1896.  He was re-elected in 1900.  His territory 
includes Washington, Madison, Clay, Union, Centre and Webster 
districts.  About six months of the year are required for actual 
assessing.  It is the assessor's duty to attend to all state licenses 
on shows, brokers, billiard and bowling alleys, hotels and 
restaurants, as well as to liquor licenses.  He looks after new 
dealers and makes out new licenses, giving an account of the same to 
the sheriff, and also reports to the state auditor, on January 1 and 
July 1, every year.  At the elections, Mr. Israel lists the voters in 
all the districts of the city.  He keeps account of the dog taxes, 
also of the deaf, dumb and blind, records all births and deaths, and 
turns over a report of them to the county clerk.  His book of records 
and accounts is sent to the state auditor.  Mr. Israel has filled 
this position with much credit, and has worked faithfully and 
conscientiously.
	Mr. Israel was married at Wheeling to Sophia Knabe, a daughter 
of Frederick Knabe, who was a native of Germany, and came to this 
country when three years of age.  Three children have blessed the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Israel, namely:  Louisa, who died in 1885; and 
Anna and Emma, who are at home.  Mr. Israel is erecting a new home on 
York street, on the Island.  In politics he is a Republican.  He is a 
member of the A. O. U. W., and of Bates Lodge, No. 33, A. F. & A. M.  
He is a member of the English Evangelical Lutheran church, and 
represented the Pittsburg Lutheran Synod at Des Moines, Iowa, in 
June, 1901.  He has been an elder and deacon in his church for 
several years, and is also one of the trustees.