Civil War Veterans of Mendocino County, California.
William Isbell

Researched and Compiled by : 
Ronald Cannon, MA 
Submitted June 2010

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William Isbell, 4 July 1820 TN-9 May1900
Capt., Co. E, 5 MO Cav. State Guards CSA
Russian River Cemetery, Ukiah (T-6, Lot 11, SE)

DEATH’S ICY FINGER – On last Tuesday morning this community was shocked and pained to hear 
of the death of William Isbell, one of our most enterprising business men. Mr. Isbell had been ill 
for some time past. A year ago he had a severe attack of pneumonia from which he never fully 
regained his strength. A few weeks ago he took a bad cold which rapidly developed into pneumonia, 
from the effects of which he passed away at 6 o’clock a. m. last Tuesday.
	William Isbell was born in Tennessee on July 4th, 1820. In the spring of ‘50 he started 
across the plains for California, arriving here in August of the same year, settling in Placer county. 
He visited the various mining camps of the state and finally run a stage line from Colusa to Shasta 
and continued in this business until January, 18[5]4, when he returned to his home in the states. 
After a short visit with his parents he returned to California with a herd of cattle, which he brought 
to Sacramento. He traded around the state and accumulated considerable property. In ‘56 he received 
news of his fathers death in Arkansas, and he returned home at once and took charge of the plantation. 
He then engaged in farming and stock trading until 1861, when the war broke out; in which he took an 
active part. He was captain of company E, Fifth regiment, Eighth division, Missouri State guards, in 
General Price’s army, in which he served four years, distinguishing himself on many occasions.
	In 1865 he moved to Benton county, Arkansas, and in 1870 was elected sheriff of that county, 
which office he held until September 15, 1874, in which year he returned to California, settling in Ukiah. 
He immediately bought the Ukiah Flouring mills which he thoroughly renovated, and has continuously 
ever since maintained this industry.
	Mr. Isbell has always held a high place in the esteem and regard of his many friends. He leaves 
a wife and three children – Nannie C. Morgan, William G. Isbell and Sterling Price Isbell to mourn his 
demise, besides a host of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Isbell stood high in the Masonic fraternity, being 
a Knight Templar. He will be buried under the auspices of that organization tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock 
from the Baptist church. Ukiah Republican Press 11 May 1900.

1860 U.S. census, Newton County, Missouri, population schedule, Neosho township, p. 863, dwelling 363, 
family 361, William isbell; NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 636.

1870 U.S. census, Benton County, Arkansas, population schedule, Osage township, Bentonville post office, 
p. 291 (stamped), dwelling 657, family 655, William Isbell; NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 47.

1880 U.S. census, Mendocino County, California, population schedule, Ukiah township, ED 57, p. 197-A, 
William Isbell; NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 68.