An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL.. 1893 ISRAEL KATZ, proprietor of the largest and general mercantile establishment in Port Townsend, was born in Germany, June 10, 1851. There he was reared, educated, and at an early age entered the store of his father and laid the foundation for his subsequent mercantile success. In 1868 he came to the United States, direct to San Francisco, and to the home of his uncle, E.L. Goldstein, with whom he remained two years, attended the schools of the city and learned the English language. In 1868 he came to Port Townsend, where his brother, Solomon Q. Katz, was engaged in business with Sigmund Waterman, the firm name being Waterman & Katz. Our subject began clerking for this firm, and, in 1871, purchased an interest in the business. They then opened a branch store, on the south end of San Juan island, near the American Fort, and Israel Katz became manager of that department. In 1870 William Katz emigrated from Germany to Port Townsend, and entered the store of Waterman & Katz as clerk, continuing until 1881, when he purchased an interest upon the death of Solomon Q. Katz, August 7, of that year. The Port Townsend and San Juan stores were both continued. On the 7th of April, 1888, William Katz, brother of Israel Katz, and a partner in the business, was drowned in the bay of fort Townsend, while attempting to board a ship, and four months later, in August, the remaining partner, Sigmund Waterman, died in San Francisco, after an illness of several months. The entire business was then purchased by Israel Katz. In 1889 he closed out the store on San Juan island, the same not having proved as profitable after he was compelled to resign his personal management of the enterprise. The business at Port Townsend is being successfully continued by Mr. Katz, who is sole proprietor, although he still retains the original firm title of Waterman & Katz. The firm have always transacted a very large business throughout the lower Sound country, carrying a general stock, embracing every article required for the farm, in the family, or in the shipping business, also dealing in general farm produce. In 1885 the present brick building was erected, on the corner of Water and Quincy streets, adjoining the old frame building, which was formerly occupied. The lot is 110 feet on Water street, and runs to deep water; the store building is 40 x 100 feet, three stories and basement, with three warehouses adjoining, all of which are filled with goods, in the several departments of trade. With a wharf to deep water, the establishment is most perfectly and conveniently located for water shipments, and the supplying of stores to deep sea vessels. Mr. Katz was married in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1887, to Miss Adele Maas. They have three children: William, Edwin and Milton. The family reside on the corner of Tyler street and Leonard avenue, where Mr. Katz built his handsome residence in 1889. He also possesses other property interests in the city, besides large bodies of timber and farming lands throughout the State. He is a stockholder and director of the First National Bank of Port Townsend, and is one of the representative business men of that fair city. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.