William McNabb
Dublin Core
Title
William McNabb
Description
William McNabb
Born in New York in 1826, William was one of the first settlers of the Washington Township. He and his wife, Elizabeth, came to Blue Point in 1848 with their eldest daughter, Eliza. William was very active in local politics, running for government posts. He died on June 18th, 1858.
According to the Poweshiek County Historical Society, a brief account of his life and death: Among the first settlers of Washington township was William McNabb, and here he continued to reside a prominent and influential citizen until his untimely death by lightning. From his first settling here he took a prominent part in every respect. His death occurred about 1855 while he was on the way from Montezuma to his home at Blue Point. A heavy electrical storm came up and in a low ravine as he was driving along with one horse he was struck by lightning and with the horse was instantly killed. He was found soon after, the horse having fallen to the ground, he remained in almost an upright position in the buggy. The electricity entered the body from the head and passed through his body, the foot being burned and the sole of the shoe being torn off. The electrical current also affected the watch in his pocket, the burned streaks appearing across the face of the watch. Hew as brought to his late home and buried at Blue Point. A widow and five children were left to mourn his sudden death.
William's widow was not Elizabeth, but his second wife, Sarah Vestal McNabb. They were married less than a year before his untimely death. She later married into the Spillman family. After William's death, his orphaned children went to live with a local relative.
Born in New York in 1826, William was one of the first settlers of the Washington Township. He and his wife, Elizabeth, came to Blue Point in 1848 with their eldest daughter, Eliza. William was very active in local politics, running for government posts. He died on June 18th, 1858.
According to the Poweshiek County Historical Society, a brief account of his life and death: Among the first settlers of Washington township was William McNabb, and here he continued to reside a prominent and influential citizen until his untimely death by lightning. From his first settling here he took a prominent part in every respect. His death occurred about 1855 while he was on the way from Montezuma to his home at Blue Point. A heavy electrical storm came up and in a low ravine as he was driving along with one horse he was struck by lightning and with the horse was instantly killed. He was found soon after, the horse having fallen to the ground, he remained in almost an upright position in the buggy. The electricity entered the body from the head and passed through his body, the foot being burned and the sole of the shoe being torn off. The electrical current also affected the watch in his pocket, the burned streaks appearing across the face of the watch. Hew as brought to his late home and buried at Blue Point. A widow and five children were left to mourn his sudden death.
William's widow was not Elizabeth, but his second wife, Sarah Vestal McNabb. They were married less than a year before his untimely death. She later married into the Spillman family. After William's death, his orphaned children went to live with a local relative.
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Citation
"William McNabb," in Archival Expeditions, Item #4, http://www.courtneyherber.com/items/show/4 (accessed February 22, 2012).