Emily Fish
Encyclopedia
Emily Maitland Fish sometimes called the "Socialite Keeper", was an American
lighthouse keeper
. A native of Albion, Michigan
, she married Melancthon W. Fish, her sister's widower, at the age of 17. Fish, a medical doctor
, served in a number of government posts overseas before returning to fight for the Union
in the American Civil War
. He died in 1891, when Emily was 50.
Soon after her husband's death Emily's son-in-law, an official with the United States Lighthouse Service
, informed her of a vacancy at the Point Pinos Light in California
. With his help, Mrs. Fish applied for, and won, the position, moving into the station with her Chinese
servant and luxurious furnishings. This was unusual, as most female lighthouse keepers received their positions only upon the deaths of their keeper husbands.
During her 21 years as keeper, from 1893 to 1914, Mrs. Fish brought rich soil to the lighthouse grounds, and planted grass, hedges, and trees; she also kept French poodles
, Holstein cows, thoroughbred horses, and chicken
s. She became well regarded in the area for her entertaining ability, and always received the highest marks for keeping the station tidy.
Mrs. Fish retired from the Lighthouse Service in 1914 and died in 1931; she is buried with her daughter Juliet in the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lighthouse keeper
Lighthouse keeper
A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for a lighthouse, particularly the light and lens in the days when oil lamps and clockwork mechanisms were used. Keepers were needed to trim the wicks, replenish fuel, wind clockworks and perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning...
. A native of Albion, Michigan
Albion, Michigan
Albion is a city in Calhoun County in the south central region of the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. The population was 9,144 at the 2000 census and is part of the Battle Creek Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, she married Melancthon W. Fish, her sister's widower, at the age of 17. Fish, a medical doctor
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, served in a number of government posts overseas before returning to fight for the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He died in 1891, when Emily was 50.
Soon after her husband's death Emily's son-in-law, an official with the United States Lighthouse Service
United States Lighthouse Service
The United States Lighthouse Service, also known as the Bureau of Lighthouses, was the agency of the US Federal Government that was responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all lighthouses in the United States from the time of its creation in 1910 until 1939...
, informed her of a vacancy at the Point Pinos Light in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. With his help, Mrs. Fish applied for, and won, the position, moving into the station with her Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
servant and luxurious furnishings. This was unusual, as most female lighthouse keepers received their positions only upon the deaths of their keeper husbands.
During her 21 years as keeper, from 1893 to 1914, Mrs. Fish brought rich soil to the lighthouse grounds, and planted grass, hedges, and trees; she also kept French poodles
Poodle
The Poodle is a breed of dog. The poodle breed is found officially in toy, miniature, and standard sizes, with many coat colors. Originally bred as a type of water dog, the poodle is highly intelligent and skillful in many dog sports, including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding...
, Holstein cows, thoroughbred horses, and chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
s. She became well regarded in the area for her entertaining ability, and always received the highest marks for keeping the station tidy.
Mrs. Fish retired from the Lighthouse Service in 1914 and died in 1931; she is buried with her daughter Juliet in the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
.