Annie Oakley was a world-famous gunslinger. She was born Phoebe Ann Moses in Darke County, Ohio, to Jacob Moses and Susan Wise Moses. Her father died when she was six years old, and her mother was left to raise her and her five siblings.
Oakley began shooting at a young age, and she quickly became one of the best marksmen in the country. In 1875, she won a shooting contest against Frank Butler, a professional marksman. Butler was so impressed with her skills that he asked her to marry him, and they were married in 1876.
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Oakley and Butler joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West show in 1885, and they became two of the show's most popular performers.
Oakley was known for her amazing shooting skills, and she could hit a target from a great distance. She was also a skilled trick shooter, and she could shoot a cigarette out of her husband's mouth or split a playing card in half.
Oakley traveled all over the world with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and she became a national celebrity. She was known for her humble personality and her commitment to helping others. She often donated money to charity, and she worked to promote women's rights.
Oakley retired from Buffalo Bill's Wild West show in 1902, but she continued to perform and give shooting demonstrations. She died in 1926 at the age of 66. She was buried in Greenville, Ohio, and her grave is a popular tourist destination.
Oakley was a pioneer for women in sports, and she helped to break down stereotypes about women's abilities. She was also a role model for young women, and she inspired them to pursue their dreams. Oakley was a true American icon, and her legacy continues to inspire people around the world.
Family Overview
Annie Oakley came from modest means.
Her father was a military veteran but died when he had many young children. Her mother seemed to be a strong woman but endured much tragedy with the loss of her two husbands and many children.
She married her husband after beating him in a competition. The two would travel throughout the Wild West and become American Legends due to Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. However, they would not have any children.
She survived 5 of her siblings who died young.
Annie would become the most famous of all her siblings, but in 1926, her battle with anemia came to a head, and she died.
Her husband was distraught, and he died shortly after.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Jacob Mosey (1799 - 1866) - He was a War of 1812 veteran and would live to see the Civil War. He was 30 years older than his wife, and by the time they married and had children, he was an older man. He died of pneumonia and left his family destitute.
Susanna Wise (1832 - 1908) - She was young when she married the older Jacob. They had many children together, and after his death, she remarried and had another child. However, her second husband also died.
Spouse:
Frank E. Butler (1847 - 1926) - After losing to Annie in a competition, the two became close and married. They would travel and compete together and become inseparable. They never had any children, but when Annie died, Frank was so distraught that he died 18 days later.
Children: None
Siblings:
Mary Jane Mosey (1851 - 1867) - She died about a year after her father passed away.
Lidia Maria Mosey (1852 - 1882) - She married and had one child prior to her death at the age of 29.
Elizabeth Mosey (1855 - 1881) - She never married and died at the age of 26.
Sarah Ellen Mosey (1857 - 1930) - She lived longer than her sister Annie and married. Like her sister Annie, she did not have any children. She died suddenly from a Car Accident in 1930 when she was 73 years old.
Catherine Mosey (1859) - She died at 8 months old.
John Henry Moses (1861 - 1949) - He spelled his name Moses and would live longer than any of his siblings. He would see his sister's rise in popularity and both World Wars. He and his wife had many children that would carry their names further.
Hulda Marie Mosey (1864 - 1934) - She survived her sister would marry three times and have two children before her death.
Infant Mosey (1865) - Died as an infant.
Emaline Brumbaugh (1868 - 1937) - She was the half-sister and only child of the sibling's mother's second marriage. She would survive her popular sister and be the second to last to die. She married but did not have any children.