Women in History - Annie Oakley Biography (original) (raw)
Early Years and Family Background
Phoebe Ann Oakley Mozee, known to us as Annie Oakley, was born on August 13, 1860, in Patterson Township, Darke County, Ohio. She was the sixth of seven children born to Jake and Susanne Mozee, farmers with roots in Pennsylvania. Tragedy struck early in Annie's life when her father died in 1866 from pneumonia, exacerbated by overexposure to freezing weather, leaving the family in a precarious financial situation. Despite these challenges, Annie's aptitude for marksmanship would soon emerge, setting her on a path to acclaim.
Rise to Fame
Annie's remarkable journey began in earnest when she was just nine years old. With no formal education to her name, she turned to shooting game to support her family. Her exceptional skill quickly garnered attention, and by the age of sixteen, she was competing in shooting matches. It was at one such event in Cincinnati where she met vaudeville marksman Frank E. Butler. She outshot him and won not only the contest by one point but also his admiration and eventually his heart. The couple married and began a partnership that would change the course of Annie's life.
Annie's Accomplishments and Shooting Feats
In 1885, Annie and Frank joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Annie's talent shone, and she rapidly became one of the show's star attractions. Known for her precision and composure, she earned the nickname "Little Sure Shot." Whether with a pistol, rifle, or shotgun, Annie could perform remarkable feats, like shooting the edge of a playing card at 90 feet or hitting airborne dimes. Such stunts not only thrilled audiences but also became the stuff of legend, immortalizing her in the annals of entertainment history.
Later Life and Legacy
Even after surviving a crippling train wreck in 1901, Annie Oakley never lost her sharpshooting edge. Although she took a step back from touring extensively, she continued to impress onlookers and set records well into her later years. At the age of sixty-two, she struck 100 clay targets in a row, testament to her enduring prowess. Annie's life and career have been celebrated in various forms, including the 1946 musical "Annie Get Your Gun," ensuring her influence endured well beyond her passing on November 3, 1926.
Death and Remembrance
Annie Oakley's extraordinary life journey concluded in Greenville, Ohio, where she succumbed to pernicious anemia at the age of sixty-six. Despite her departure, her legacy as a pioneer for women in shooting sports and entertainment continues to inspire. Across generations, her story represents the triumph of skill and tenacity over adversity. Annie Oakley may have left the stage of life, but her legend as a sharpshooting sensation lives on forever.