Son of Tellef John Israelsen and Maren Dorthea. The Israelsen family emigrated from Norway and crossed the plains with the Christoffersen Freight Train. Israel died en route 6 October, a fulfillment of his father's dream, namely: "That he had arrived in Zion and was gathering up his family and found all but one. " Israel was buried by the road side. The exact place of the grave is not known.