Israel E. Lauffer

  General Notes:

Israel enlisted April 10, 1989 as a private Company I 10th Infantry at age 27. He was 5ft 7 in
Discharge remarks: Last active record S.I.B. 1889. Promotions none.

From the 1905 Lauffer History:

Israel E. Lauffer Was District Attorney of Westmoreland County.
THE DEAD LAWYER.

Account of the Death of District Attorney I. E. Lauffer, Which Occurred Dec. 24, 1890, Together With Some Beautiful Tributes.

Another name is stricken from the list of attorneys, and a Bar popular for the brilliancy of its members, mourns the loss of a shining light. At two o'clock this morning, December 24, District Attorney I. E. Lauffer breathed his last. His death was not unexpected, as the disease was of such a character as to leave little, if any, room for hope. We have said that he was dying, and our readers, no doubt, expected the end. It come and overshadowed, with a cloud of grief, the festivities of the usual Christmas joys.

I. E. Lauffer was born Jan. 3, 1860, near Murraysville, Westmoreland county, and was a son of Joseph and Esther (Berlin) Lauffer. His early life was spent on his father's farm. Entering the common schools he soon manifested a desire to learn, and not content with the advantages they afforded, he expressed a desire to attend higher institutions of learning.

When Professor G. H. Hugus, our present superintendent, took charge of the Delmont academy, Mr. Lauffer, then a mere boy, walked from his father's home to Delmont, a distance of four miles, to attend school. He had the energy that wins.

He continued his studies and naturally drifted into teaching. He was a most successful teacher and soon made his mark in that calling; He was the principal of the Ludwick schools and a teacher in the seminary. Coming to choose a profession he selected law and became a student in the office of Judge James A. Hunter. He was most fortunate in making this selection, and we feel that his distinguished preceptor felt honored in his pupil. Permit us to say that Judge Hunter and his most excellent wife became attached to him and learned to love him as a son and none were more attentive to him on his dying bed. We can assure them that their love was reciprocated, as the deceased often spoke to us of their kindness.

Five years ago, in 1885, he was admitted to the bar and clients seemed to be waiting for the event. He soon gained a large practice. He was a natural lawyer. Common sense is the most powerful element in his profession and he worshipped at its shrine. He was always equal to the occasion.

In 1889, he was the choice of his party for District Attorney and a colleague on the ticket with L. W. Doty, Esq., and Mr. Lucien Clawson. It is admitted that this ticket was one of the strongest ever presented to the people of Westmoreland county, and it overwhelmingly triumphed at the polls. On the beginning of the present year, Mr. Lauffer was sworn into office and conducted the affairs of the Criminal Court in a manner highly satisfactory to the people. We feel that the public was conscious of his usefulness and it is needless for us to add any words of praise.

At the close of the November term of Criminal Court he took ill, and his illness developed into typhoid pneumonia. Every thing possible was done for him. He had the most careful nursing, and seemed on a fair way to recovery. A relapse took place; and he rapidly sunk until death came to his relief at the time stated.

His funeral will take place on Friday from the residence of his father, in Franklin township. Services will be held tomorrow at 10 o'clock in Zion's Lutheran church, this place.

Every person who was accosted this morning spoke only in the kindest terms of the deceased. As already said, he was universally admired. Judge Doty was found in his study this morning by a Record man. He was greatly affected over the death of the District Attorney. Speaking of him, he said: I knew Lauffer very well and feel that his death is a public loss. I have been very intimately associated with him during the past year, and I never knew a man more faithful in the discharge of his full duty. He made personal sacrifices in order to save suitors, and the county unnecessary costs. His whole ambition seemed to be to discharge his full duty. He discouraged trifling litigation, and he did not multiply bills for the purpose of increasing fees. Others may be as great in the knowledge of the law, but it will be a long time before one is found who will be more faithful or more successful in the office left vacant by his death. In addition to. this he was eminently a social and kind-hearted man. He was generous in his judgment of men in extending aid to those who were needy. His sterling qualities attracted to him a large following of devoted friends. In this respect he was exceptional, the most incongruous elements uniting in his support.

EX-JUDGE HUNTER'S TRIBUTE.

Ex-Judge James A. Hunter, with whom Mr. Lauffer studied law, thus spoke in reference to the one whom he so much adored:

"District Attorney I. E. Lauffer read law with me. He was a very faithful and industrious student and seemed to drink in the law. Frequently T cautioned him not to overwork himself, but he became so wedded to his studies that a text book was never out of his hands while in the office, as well as, I have every reason to believe, in his private chamber. He was a young man of sterling integrity, as honest and as pure as the best piece of steel. There was no hypocrisy about him. He was what he was and that only. At first there was a shade of doubt in my mind as to his final success at the bar owing to his modesty and, as I thought, retiring disposition, but before he closed his studies, this thought was dissipated, knowing that labor would bring its own reward and in addition thereto when he came to the bar I was confirmed in my belief that he would prove a success in his profession.

"Mr. Lauffer was a man of the purest morals. I never knew him to say a word or do an act inconsistent with that of a Christian man. Both myself and family became warmly attached to Mr. Lauffer, whose death was most deeply deplored." As we have met here this day to cypress our sorrow at the death of a young man in his best years, we feel like saying with one of our poets :

"Oh, what hadst thou to do with cruel death, Who wast so full of life, or death with thee, That thou shouldst die before thou hadst grown old?"

It is so natural to expect that they who are taken to their last resting place should first come nigh unto three score years and ten. Death seems to belong as little to youth as darkness to the earlier hours of day. In the forenoon of life we not only hope for the usual length of time ere the sun set, but also for the deeds and achievements to which this time gives opportunity. And our hearts are startled with sad surprise when this hope comes to an end with the announcement that "the young man is dead."

An illustration of this is now before us. Mr. I. E. Lauffer would only have been thirty-one years of age had he lived till the 3rd of next month. Only one score and ten years, instead of three score years and ten! Only three of the seven stages passed! The regret is universal that he should have died so young. Men everywhere give expression to this regret in tones that are vibrant with profound sympathy, and the saddest of it all comes out in so much stronger contrast as it looms up beside the pleasures which cluster about this season of the year. In a short time the remains of how departed friend will be on their way to the chill darkness of the grave, while the living are gathering to the glad festivities of Christmas.

In looking back over the life that is gone, we find much even in its one score years and ten, to admire and to hold in loving remembrance. A sturdy faithfulness to duty has always characterized the departed. They can bear testimony to this who have cared for him from his earliest days. And, even if we had not the testimony of his parents, we would be able to judge of this from his record in Greensburg. For it is not possible that such a manhood could spring from anything but a child-hood well trained, obedient and faithful. "Of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather grapes ;" and of an indifferent childhood they cannot gather a real, manly character. How can a stream rise. higher than its fountain? From what we know of Mr. Lauffer, we are sure that the fountain of his career was high up in the sphere of piety and prayer, and as near to a life in Christ as the hands of a Christian parental example and an early consecration to God could lift him.

He was faithful as a student in the academies at Delmont and Murraysville, where he received his preliminary training for the work of coming years. Of this we have evidence in his excellent mental training. His insight into the varied problems of his profession was clear; and this indicates the highest ability, if Carlyle's saying is correct, that "insight is power." A stranger could easily have misjudged him. His appearance was of extreme modesty, and, in disposition, he was rather retiring. But back of that quiet exterior, was a mind as strong as the unseen current that flashes its message from land to land. Back of it was an intelligence that lit up the subject before him as dearly as the sunbeam that drops in silence upon the earth. Back of it was a judgment as true to the right as a magnetic needle to its pole. But to this, aside from his natural gifts, he could not have attained had he been unfaithful or a sluggard, in his educational course. God had given him a good mind,excellent natural gifts, without which it would have been impossible to reach the position he held; and through these he might easily have been tempted to the indolence that has ruined so many. But indolence was foreign to his character at all times; for without steady industry , he could no more have gathered the fruits that clustered about him during these last few years, than one can reap a harvest from an unsown, though fertile field. His talents were in great part those which are developed by hard work.

He was faithful as an instructor. You remember the days when he was principal of the Ludwick schools, and as teacher at the Greensburg Seminary. During that time he gave evidence of the same sterling qualities that had characterized him as a student. We know that he was very fond of children, and that the children were very fond of him. This always speaks well for a man, for children, with their quick intuitions, will only take to those in whom there is good reason for love and respect. And as a teacher, he was both respected and loved. He was respected because he stood faithful to every duty as a teacher, considering that he was responsible for the daily improvement of those who were entrusted to his care. And he was loved because he dealt with his scholars in the spirit of affectionate interest. A man gets more of life's truest blessings than that which he pays for; and what greater blessing is there than that of having the affection of those with whom one is laboring? But to receive this, one must pay for it with affection in return, and, if we judge of Mr. Lauffer by this standard, his must have been a heart of more than ordinary love and kindness. Only in this spirit can a man, truly faithful, whether it be to himself or to others; for with it he has a power that fairly lifts and impels him to the doing of his duty.

The time came that he entered upon the study of law, his chosen profession. His friends had doubts at first as to his success in this line. The quiet modesty with which he made application to his future preceptor would, in these days of general self-sufficiency, make almost anyone hesitate as to the fitness of fie applicant. It is so unusual. We somehow expect everyone to sound his own praises, and to make as striking a first impression as possible. He came to his preceptor quietly; he did his work quietly: he succeeded quietly; and quietly, but with every promise of an enviable future, he took his place among a class of men of this town whom it is far from easy to compete with. A young lawyer has far to travel before he can stand beside the best of his profession here. But Mr. Lauffer was fast striding toward the front. His colleagues have admitted this. And the force that sent him forward was generated in those quiet hours of Intense study under the supervision of his able preceptor.

A Tribute to the Memory of I. E. Lauffer by Rev. A. D. Potts, His Former Pastor.

Although the announcement of District Attorney Lauffer's death was not an unexpected one, yet I must confess that it truly was a sad one.

From the frequent newspaper notices relative to his condition I gathered the information that his recovery was well-nigh impossible. But now to realize that one so young, so industrious and so truly destined, humanely speaking, to achieve greatness and helpfulness is laid low in .the embrace of death, is a faithful reminder that before the onward sweep of the destroying angel all mortals must sooner or later fall.

My acquaintanceship with Mr. Lauffer runs back in years of his boyhood days, and I can truthfully say that my most vivid recollections of him and his steady onward course convince me that, in honesty of purpose, integrity of character, and in nobility of soul, he was as true to all as the needle to the pole and "righteousness to the plummet." Of an unassuming disposition he nevertheless attracted the considerate attention of the many with whom he associated. There was something about him that drew one almost unconsciously near to him.

Considerateness was a chief characteristic in his general makeup. It was his principal aim to find the right path, and then to walk unswervingly along the same. He was not ashamed to seek counsel, and I remember distinctly when he came to me as his friend and former pastor, and sought what little advice I was humbly able to furnish. When he believed that he was right, no alluring or time-serving compensation was great enough to draw him aside from the path of rectitude and duty. In disposition he was as affable and kind as the most tender-hearted woman. To injure, by thought, word or deed, the lowest of earth's multitude, was the act remotest of his being. Then he was a particularly humble man. A self-bolstered popularity and pretentious worth found no place in his manly deportment.

While he was in the beginning of his public career, he likewise, was at its end. His ambitions did not fly out of the windows of vaulting success, but it led him along the humble road to be and to do good. To keep others from getting into trouble was his pre-eminent desire. He wanted all-who sought his counsel to start right, in order that they might end right. Simplicity and generosity of heart made him what he was. While under my pastoral care, no one could have been more faithful, more devout, and more truth imbibing than he was. I knew him then to be noble and good. But after our separation I failed not to observe his actions and progress. I thought I saw in him an ideal young man. Had he lived, I firmly believe that he would have reached the very eminence in public life that I had sighted out for him in the coming time. An infinite wisdom, however, let fall over my prophetic dram a dispensation that is just and good. While my heart feels sad that my young and prized friend has left us, still I bow in humble submission to Him who doeth all things well. And when the inscription in the granite block that may mark the resting place of his earthly remains, has been effaced by the corroding finger of time's elements, and even when the recording tablet itself has mouldered into dust, there will remain, in the hearts and memories of his friends, the imperishable epitaph, "I. E. Lauffer, the honorable, 'the useful, the upright, and the Christian young man."

Touching Words by His Honor Judge Doty. Upon the opening of the present term of court, His Honor Judge Doty, before proceeding to the consideration of other matters, referred feelingly to the death of District Attorney Lauffer. Addressing himself to the grand jury, he said :

"It is less than three months since our last charge to the grand jury, and in that brief time great and important events have occurred. The district attorney, chosen by the people of the county, was then in full life and apparent health. Now more than a month has already elapsed since he was consigned to his last resting place in the quiet churchyard in the beautiful valley he loved so well. We cannot allow this occasion to pass without adverting to the fact of his death, and without acknowledging in a public manner our appreciation of the value of his services while living. While he occupied this quas-judicial position we had every opportunity to observe 'his conduct, and while in some respects he was an comprehensible and unique character, we believe we learned to know him well, and we are sure we appreciated his services. His mainspring of action was a desire to faithfully discharge the duties of his office. He was not mercenary, or he would have multiplied bills in order to increase the revenues of the office. He was faithful to the court and to his client, and withal recognized the character and dignity of the office he held and refused to press for a conviction, in his judgment, was not fully justified by the evidence. He manifested ability and exhibited extraordinary energy and patience in the performance of the trying duties of his office. If he showed any weakness at all, it proceeded from a naturally amiable disposition and kindness of heart. He died young, but lived long enough to accomplish much good and to give promise of still greater usefulness in the future. The little world in which he lived paused a moment when Lauffer died, and unusual sympathy and regret were heard on every side. But the times are too busy to long pause. Practical duties demand the attention of living men. No one is absolutely essential in any sphere of activity. We take our turn and play our part and move on to make room for others pressing after."