Primary Name: Schnabel, William

Filed as: Schnabel, William

Also known as: William Schnabel

Occupation / Association: Deputy U.S. Marshal; cowboy; charter member, Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Men’s Igloo

Associated places: Germany; California; Jordan Valley, Oregon; Dawson, Yukon Territory; Fairbanks, Alaska; Wrangell, Alaska; Rockville, Idaho; Caldwell, Idaho

Keywords: William Schnabel, Juneau Men’s Igloo charter member, deputy U.S. marshal Alaska, Fairbanks Alaska law enforcement, Wrangell Alaska deputy marshal, Buffalo Bill Wild West Show riders, early Alaska lawmen

Biography

William Schnabel was a charter member of the Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Men’s Igloo.

He was born on July 2, 1860, in Germany. His parents had immigrated to the United States in 1847 and settled in California, but returned temporarily to Germany in 1860, where William was born. He spent his boyhood and early adulthood in Jordan Valley, Oregon, working as a cowboy.

Schnabel later joined the rush north during the early gold rush years, traveling to Dawson during the Klondike era. In 1904, he went to Fairbanks, Alaska, where he was appointed a Deputy United States Marshal. After leaving Fairbanks, he was again appointed deputy marshal for the First Division at Wrangell, Alaska, serving until the term of the marshal under whom he worked expired in 1909.

For a short time, Schnabel reportedly rode with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, where he met Velma P., who later became his second wife. His first marriage had been to Hattie L. Ridenbaugh in 1893.

After leaving Alaska, Schnabel returned to Idaho, settling near Rockville. He died in Caldwell, Idaho, on September 28, 1932.

Sources

The Caldwell News-Tribune, September 29, 1932