Joel - Ephraim
Source: Crawfordsville Review 16 August 1890 p 1
Ephraim Joel, one of our most prominent citizens, died on Sunday night last after an illness of about two weeks. Mr. Joel had all his life been of robust health and it was for a number of days that he would overcome the attack of typhoid ever, from the strong constitution which had supported him, but all hopes were useless, as from the first he continued to grow weaker until death finally carried him off. Mr. Joel was the third in a family of seven children and was the first of them to meet the dread conqueror. He was born in Lafayette in May 1849 and at the age of 11 years came with the family to Crawfordsville and in a few years after entered with his father in the clothing business. Nearly 20 yers ago he began business alone and has ever since continued in it. By his death Crawfordsville loses one of her best business men. Mr. Joel has always identified himself with the best interests of the city, lending not only his labors but giving freely of his money toward anything that would benefit his little city, which was his pride. He was married Jan 7, 1885 to Miss Essie Daum of Peoria, Ill and one bright little girl, Fannie came to bless them. Possibly no death ever occurred in the city that caused the universal grief as that of Eph Joel. A pall of grief seemed to settle over the entire city. Surrounded by a loving family, blessed with a beautiful home and happy with the richest gifts of this life he falls a victim in his early manhood. Truly death loves a shining mark. After short services at the house the remains were born on Wednesday to the home of his parents in Buffalo NY where the interment took place – kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Monday 11 Aug 1890
The unwelcome but expected news of Eph Joel’s death was received on the streets this morning with sadness. He passed away last evening at 9:30 o’clock. Although in bed but two weeks he was really sick for two weeks before that and kept about by mere force of will. He was constantly attended by his faithful wife and friends to the last. For the last few days he was unconscious mot of the time and suffered but little. Relatives were all telegraphed for and are arriving. The funeral will be held in Buffalo with the Jewish ceremonies, but the time has not been fixed yet. Telegrams from friends in all parts of the country have been received extending sympathy to the bereaved ones. Besides the crape on the house and his two stores, the City Hall is heavily draped in mourning signifying that in his death the city has a loss to bear as well as his family.
Eph Joel was born in Lafayette, Ind., in May 1849, making him just a little over 41 years old. In 1860 he moved to this city with his father, Abraham Joel and family and since then has been a continuous resident of this place. Mr. Joel Senior built up a splendid clothing trade and in 1874 Eph was admitted as a partner into the firm. Later he went into the business alone and has been eminently successful, benefiting not only himself, but the entire community. He was married on January 7, 1885 to Miss Essie Daum, of Peoria, and one bright little girl, Fannie, came to bless them. Mr. Joel was for years an enthusiastic member of the volunteer fire department and served one term as chief. He was a Hebrew in religious belief and lived and died in the faith of the fathers. With the exception of one daughter who died in infancy, Eph is the first of the Joel family to pass away. There are two brothers, Jacob of this city and Joly of Mommonth, Ill., and four sisters, Mrs. H. C. Solomon, and Mrs. A. Z. Solomon of Denver, and Mrs. Hattie Warner and Miss Fannie Joel of Buffalo.
And thus passes away one of crawfordsville’s best and most enterprising citizens. Surrounded by a beautiful family, blessed with an attractive home, and rejoicing in the strength of mature manhood, the destroyer marked him for his own. “In the midst of life we are in death” is a most impressive sentence. We may delude ourselves that the ‘dread destroyer’ is far from us; that we are strong and authorized to rejoice in our strength, but we never remain in our fancied security. Every day we see the beautiful in health fall around us. Nothing is secure. Death alone is certain. The business pursuits of life may be engaging and active; family and friends may gather near, and their loving dependence may bind them closer to us, and we may see in the future rich and fruitful rewards for our labor, yet “The hour concealed and so remote the fear, Death draws still nearer, never seeming near.”
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Tuesday 12 Aug 1890
There will be services over the remains of the late Eph Joel at the house tomorrow at 12 o’clock noon. At 1:25 the friends will start with the body to Buffalo where the interment will be made. H. Z. Solomon and daughter, Florence, arrived today from Denver and other relatives are expected tonight. The City Council last night passed a resolution requesting all business houses to close tomorrow between the hours of 12 and 2 p.m., in respect to the memory of our dead citizen.
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal Wednesday 13 Aug 1890
Services were held today at noon over the remains of the late Ephraim Joel at the residence, former of Pike Street and Grant Avenue. A large number of the neighbors and friends collected to pay to the deceased this last tribute of respect. Rabbi Messing of Indianapolis, standing at the head of the open casket, read the beautiful and impressive Jewish burial service. This was followed by an eloquent eulogy on the life and character of the deceased. It was a most worthy tribute to a most worthy man. A prayer closed the solemn services, when an opportunity was given the neighbors the view the face of their dead friend.
(The pall bearers were T. D. Brown, J. R. Robinson, Abe Levison, Louis Bischoff, W. B. Cooley and Henry Campbell. The remains were conveyed to the I. B. & W. station escorted by the members of old fire department, numbering about 40, and at 1:25 the cortege started to Buffalo, the home of the father and mother of the deceased, where he will be buried. Between the hours of 12 and 2, the business houses were generally closed.