F.M. Israel & Family – Zion Lutheran Cemetery and Evergreen Cemetery, Ford, Kansas

Zion Lutheran Church was organized on September 29, 1878. A constitution was adopted and was signed by several men, including Moritz Israel and his two sons, Julius and Gustav.

Friedrich Moritz “Morris” Israel was born in Germany in 1827. His wife, Johanna Sophia “Rosa” Leibpolt was born a year later in 1828. They were united in marriage on August 27, 1848. A total of six children were born with five before the family emigrated to America in 1868. Julius (b.1848), Gustav (b.1852), Dora (b.1864), and Kossuth (b.1873). Their youngest son, Kossuth Gustav “K.G.”, was born in Illinois.

When the family arrived in Wheatland Twp., Ford County in 1878, their oldest son Julius was already married with two children. The year 1880 was tragic as Julius’ four-year-old son died in July and Julius died in December. He left behind his wife and 9-year-old daughter. Father and son are buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Gustave married Bertha Marie Gildner on September 29, 1878 while living in Illinois. They settled in Osage County, Kansas where they raised their five children. Bertha passed away in 1895 at the age of 33. She is buried in Burlingame City Cemetery in Osage County.

At some point, Gustave remarried because the 1920 US Census has Olga and Gustave living in San Diego, California. Gustav died on November 25, 1924. He was brought back to Kansas and is buried next to Bertha.

Dora married Samuel Stubbs. She died in 1938 and is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City.

The youngest son, K.G., remained in Ford County and continued farming. He married Rosa Christina Krumrey, in 1893. They were the parents of seven children. After giving birth to twin sons, Rosa passed away on February 23, 1911. She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Ford County.

K.G. was left alone to raise the six children. In 1929, he married Susie Stinson. One daughter was born to them. Tragedy struck on the 12th of August 1942. Not realizing his tractor was in gear, K.G. started it by turning the crank. It ran over him and killed him. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery.