William B. Prettyman died attempting to save Anna B. Knize from drowning, Braeburn, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1926. Anna, 14, became weak while swimming in deep water in the Allegheny River and was unable to swim farther. Heavily clothed, Prettyman, 42, foreman carpenter, jumped from a ferry landing and swam 10 feet to Anna, who grabbed him. He was unable to swim with her and they drifted. Finally Anna released Prettyman and grasped a board that was extended to her and was drawn to safety. Prettyman sank almost immediately and drowned. 27249-2273
27249 – 2273
27249-2273Obituary
William B. Prettyman worked as a foreman carpenter on a ferry landing bridge along the Allegheny River near Braeburn, Pa. On June 18, 1926, at the age of 42, he passed away saving the life of a 14-year-old girl who lived in the area.
Prettyman was a lifelong resident of Wheeling, W.Va. Surviving him were his wife, Elsie McCuskie Prettyman, and a daughter. Mrs. Prettyman received the Carnegie Medal and a $50 monthly grant from the Hero Fund until her death on May 5, 1970. Each month, she purchased a $25 U.S. Savings Bond.
Mrs. Prettyman moved into her daughter’s home at the time of her husband’s death. Almost 26 years later to the day, her daughter’s husband was killed in an industrial accident, leaving Mrs. Prettyman and her daughter to raise the daughter’s eight children. At Mrs. Prettyman’s death, she was survived by her daughter, eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
(Edited from an obituary provided by a family member.)