POLICEMAN ROBERT D. ISREAL
SAN DIEGO CITY MARSHAL 1850-1851
03/23/1823 - 01/12/1908
THE THIN BLUE LINE
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Robert fought in the Mexican-American War, including the famous Battle of Chapultepec. Immediately after being mustered out, in 1848, he came to San Diego.
He lived at Old Town several years, engaged in blacksmithing, keeping a saloon, and doing contracting with his brother, Joséph H. Israel. He served as policeman and jailor in the early 50's, in 1858 was Justice of the peace, and in 1865 school trustee.
He was the lighthouse keeper for the longest period of time, 18 years.
He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 23, 1826. His father was described as Pennsylvania Dutch and mother as Scotch-Irish. He and a young Mexican bride, Marie Arcadia Alipas, were married by a priest in 1852 at the Casa de Estudillo in Old Town. They had four children: Henry Clay Israel, Joseph Perry Israel; Robert Lincoln Israel, and a second Joseph Perry Israel, born after his older brother had died.
Israel was appointed assistant lighthouse keeper in 1871 and promoted to lighthouse keeper in 1874. His wife Maria was the assistant keeper, like most wives of lighthouse keepers. Their family lived alone on the Point, making sure that the lighthouse was illuminated each night. The Israels lived and worked on Point Loma for 18 years, where they watched their children and grandchildren grow up. One of the their grandsons was born at the lighthouse.
Because of the fog, another lighthouse was built closer to the Pacific Ocean shore line, in the area adjoining Cabrillo National Monument now occupied by a U.S. Coast Guard Station. On March 23, 1891 the old light was extinguished and the new one lit.
Israel took over the new location but was dismissed as the lighthouse keeper in 1892.
He died at age 81 on January 12, 1908. He is buried at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. His grave 74 in section 75 is marked by a stone with a Christian cross. Some of his descendants now serve as volunteer re-enactors at the lighthouse.
