Catharine Shook

Wife of Keeper Peter L. Shook.

In 1848 Peter Schuck was appointed keeper of Pointe aux Barques light under the administration of President James K. Polk

Peter Schuck (the name was later americanized to Shook) was born in New York State in 1808. He married Catherine Doyle and fathered eight children: Ignatius, Theodore, Minerva, Caroline, David, Catherine, Peter Jr. and Eugene.

During Peter's first year of service, his wife, Catherine, became very ill. Peter summoned the doctor. When he was done attending to Catherine, they sat down to eat supper. Afterwards, Peter went up into the tower and prepared the lantern wicks. He filled the lights to the brim with oil and polished the large reflectors, so they would shine throughout the night warning ships of the shallow waters near the shore. By now the storm was increasing in severity and they urged the doctor to stay overnight. However, since he had other patients to attend to, he needed to get home. Peter said goodbye to the children and assured Catherine he would be back as quickly as possible. Going by water was easier and faster than going through the woods along the shoreline, but their small boat was swamped in the storm and the two were drowned. The doctor's body was found washed ashore, but no trace of Peter Shook was ever found.

Catherine took over as keeper of the light and served for two years. She earned $350 a year, while raising her eight children.

Catherine (Doyle) Shook died on June 9, 1860, leaving her children orphaned. She was buried in Oakwood Cemetary in New Baltimore, MI. Later a headstone for Peter, her husband who drowned on March 31, 1849 was placed beside hers.