Eliza A. Pittsinger

Last updated
Eliza A. Pittsinger
ELIZA A. PITTSINGER A woman of the century (page 584 crop).jpg
BornMarch 18, 1837
Westhampton, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedFebruary 22, 1908(1908-02-22) (aged 70)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Occupationpoet
LanguageEnglish
Notable works"Song of the Soul Victorious"

Eliza A. Pittsinger (March 18, 1837 - February 22, 1908), known as "The California Poetess", was an American poet of the long nineteenth century. She was born in Massachusetts and came to California from her home in Chesterfield in 1852, making the voyage around Cape Horn. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, she devoted her whole energies for a time toward molding the public sentiment for The Union. After a visit home to Massachusetts, she was married, but her life proving unhappy, she was soon divorced. When she again returned to California, she began writing for different papers, taking a deep interest in spiritualistic investigations and phenomena. She was a regular contributor to the Golden Era, the Carrier Dove, and the Banner of Light. What she considered her greatest poem, "Song of the Soul Victorious", was a treatment of the eternity of life, one of her favorite themes. [1] Although Pittsinger wrote some very popular verses, she became obscure later in life. [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Eliza Ann Pittsinger [3] was born in Westhampton, Massachusetts, March 18, 1837. Her father was of German descent. Her mother was of Anglo-American birth and blended unusual personal attractions with a nature bold and aspiring. [4]

The mother's death occurred at the age of 32, leaving Pittsinger with two brothers and two sisters to the care and guidance of an older sister, a girl of 14, who thus acted in the double capacity of mother and sister. The father, deeply suffering from his bereavement, became negligent of his business matters, so that his circumstances and means of supporting his family were greatly reduced. Pittsinger early exhibited a disposition impulsive, daring, precocious; she cherished an unusual desire for knowledge of all kinds, and availed herself of all educational opportunities. [5]

At the age of 14, she took charge of the house for her father, two brothers, and a sister, and walked 1 mile (1.6 km) to teach a school; and at the same time instructed at home a younger brother and sister. [5] At 16, she was teacher of a school in western New York, composed mostly of boys much older than herself. During the three following years, her time was spent in teaching through the summer, and attending the Northampton High School in winter, from which she graduated with what is generally considered a thorough New England education. [5]

Career

Subsequent to completing her education, Pittsinger was engaged for several years at Rogers' stereotype institution in Boston as proof-reader and reviewer. [4] In the spring of 1854, she sailed for California; and four years later, her stirring songs and lyrics began to appear in the California journals. Here, she developed many admirers and warm friends by her fervent patriotism and devoted enthusiasm to the zealous efforts in the cause of social and moral reforms. In the mining districts, she was enthusiastically received and appreciated. In 1866 and 1867, at Nevada City, Grass Valley, and at the lakes and among the Sierra Nevadas, at San Francisco and elsewhere, she read her own poems to enthusiastic audiences, and at the same time wrote letters of travel for San Francisco papers. A farewell benefit was tendered her by the influential people of that city on the eve of her departure for a visit north. She wrote an extended “Poem on California,” to be compiled with others. [5]

Bugle Peals Bugle Peals (1882).png
Bugle Peals

In the early 1860s-1870s, Pittsinger was well known within the poetic world. Then, her poems regarding the eternity of life, the sublimity of love, and the glory of patriotism thrilled readers. With patriotic fervor she wrote war songs, the inspiring words of which stirred California youth for the cause of The Union in the days of the American Civil War. She was called "The California Poetess". Her poems were recited in the schools and taught by teachers of elocution. No public meeting was complete in those days without a rendition of one of her thrilling "Bugle Peals", [6] or her "Song of the Soul Victorious," a lyric on the immortality of life which she considered her masterpiece. Throughout California, she was known and revered. But in later days, the lyrics grew less inspiring, though her enthusiasm never wavered. Slowly among the rising generations of young people, her popularity waned and faded away. At the time of her death, her name was practically unknown. [1]

She wrote wholly from aspiration. Freedom and justice to all was her motto. She accepted the theory of reincarnation, embodiments in the material form, and the varied experiences thereby obtained, to prepare it for its immortal destiny. [4] That idea was embodied in a number of her most remarkable poems. She was chosen the poet for the 40th anniversary celebration of the raising of the first American flag in California. She wrote a stirring poem for the 400th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther, which was recited by herself and others on that occasion. Her poems were varied and numerous. [1]

Personal life

Eliza A. Pittsinger Eliza A. Pittsinger.png
Eliza A. Pittsinger

With the exception of eight years spent in the north Atlantic States, she lived in San Francisco since the days of the war. She lived with her only sister, Almira Ingram Holcomb, who was an invalid. [7] After Almira died in May 1907, Pittsinger lived practically alone. As late as 1906, she wrote a short poem on the earthquake, and it was one of her hopes for some time to have all her works gathered and published. She had been ill for only four days before her death, to the last, protesting that she was going to recover. She died in San Francisco on February 22, 1908. [1]

Selected works

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebecca Ruter Springer</span> American author

Rebecca Ruter Springer was an American author. She began to publish verses shortly after finishing school, and thereafter contributed to leading periodicals. Among her works is the Christian book Intra Muros, better known today as My Dream of Heaven. As the modern name implies, Springer claimed to have a vision of a Christian heaven, and she recounts this vision in her book as well as some personal insights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlotta Perry</span> American poet (1839 or 1848 – 1914)

Carlotta Perry, the pen name of Charlotte Augusta Perry, was an American writer of poetry and prose. She was among a group of premier women poets of the late 19th century. Her poems, children's stories, and short stories were published in many of the most read publications of the time including Harper's Magazine, Godey's Lady's Book and Lippincott's Monthly Magazine. Some of her verse can still be found today in Christian newsletters and even in an ad for a paint company describing their shades of white. Known mostly for her poetry, she was also a journalist and was active in many of the journalism and women's organizations during her working life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eliza Ann Otis</span> American poet, journalist and philanthropist

Eliza Ann Otis, née Wetherby, was an American poet, journalist, and philanthropist. She was the co-founder, publisher, and associate editor of the Los Angeles Times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eliza Archard Conner</span> American journalist (1838–1912)

Eliza Archard Conner was an American writer, journalist, novelist, lecturer, teacher, and feminist of the long nineteenth century. Hailing from Ohio, Conner began writing for newspapers at the age of 13. She served in various roles for the Saturday Evening Post, of Philadelphia, the Commercial of Cincinnati, and the New York World of New York City. She also worked towards the emancipation and advancement of women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annie Laurie Wilson James</span> American journalist

Annie Laurie Wilson James was an American journalist. Among other work, she focused on the compilation of horse pedigrees and heredity problems in horses. She was the assistant editor and manager of Breeder and Sportsman, published in San Francisco, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eliza D. Keith</span> American journalist

Eliza Douglas Keith was an American educator, author, and journalist; she was also a social reformer and activist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nellie Blessing Eyster</span>

Nellie Blessing Eyster was an American journalist, writer, lecturer, and social reformer. She was a grand-niece of Barbara Fritchie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frances Margaret Milne</span> Irish-born American author and librarian

Frances Margaret Milne was an Irish-born American author and librarian of the long nineteenth century. Her works included, For to-day : poems (1893); A cottage gray and other poems (1895); Heliotrope (1897); Our little roman. verses of childhood. (1902); and Passing of the village (1902). She died in 1910.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Torrans Lathrap</span> American poet

Mary Lathrap, pen name: Lena; known as "The Daniel Webster of Prohibition", was a 19th-century American author, preacher, suffragist, and temperance reformer. For 20 years, she was identified with the progressive women of Michigan who had temperance, purity, and prohibition as their watchwords, and the white ribbon as their badge. A licensed preacher for the Methodist Episcopal Church (1871), she served as president of Michigan's Woman's Christian Temperance Union (1882), co-founded the state's suffrage organization (1870), and worked on the amendment campaign (1874). She died in 1895, aged 56.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy H. Washington</span> American poet and social reformer

Lucy H. Washington was an American poet and social reformer of the long nineteenth century, active in the temperance movement. For many years, she was engaged in Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) work, having given addresses in 24 states, and extended her efforts across the country. In 1878, she published a volume of poems, Echoes of Song, and this was followed by Memory's Casket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Dyer Hobart</span> American poet

Sarah Dyer Hobart was an American author of poetry, prose, and songs. Some of her more notable poems included, "The Record of Company B", "The Legend of St. Freda", and "Hector's Recompense". Her sonnets are perhaps her best work. She died in 1921.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornelia J. M. Jordan</span> American poet

Cornelia Jane Jordan was an American poet and lyricist associated with the Civil War. Her book of poems entitled Corinth, and other Poems, published after the surrender, was seized by the military commander of Richmond, Virginia and suppressed. She published a volume entitled Richmond, Her Glory and Her Graves. Jordan also contributed many articles to magazines and newspapers, the best of which were "The Battle of Manassas," "The Death of Jackson" and "An Appeal for Jefferson Davis". She was a member of the Alumni of the Convent of the Visitation, Georgetown, Washington, D.C., her alma mater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alice Moore McComas</span>

Alice Moore McComas was an American author, editor, lecturer and reformer. She was a pioneer suffragist in California and served as president of the Los Angeles Equal Suffrage Association. During the various suffrage campaigns, McComas contributed articles to over seventy newspapers and magazines, and she was well known throughout the west as an educator and lecturer. She was accredited with being the first woman to conduct a department for women in a daily paper in California, and the first woman to address a state Republican ratification meeting. She was one of the earliest organizers of the Free Kindergarten Association and of clubs for working women, and was prominent in many movements for civic welfare. She was Associate Editor of The Household Journal of California and author of several books, among them The Women of the Canal Zone and Under the Peppers. McComas contributed travel sketches to many magazines. She died in 1919.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harriet Mabel Spalding</span> American poet

Harriet Mabel Spalding was an American litterateur and poet. She became well known in the highest circles of art and literature in Albany, New York, Chicago, and New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Canfield Ballard</span> American poet and hymnwriter

Mary Canfield Ballard was an American poet and hymnwriter. She was a prolific contributor to periodicals, contributing occasionally to thirty of them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rowena Granice Steele</span> American actress, journalist, author, publisher (1824–1901)

Rowena Granice Steele was an American performer, author of poetry and novels, as well as a newspaper journalist, editor, and publisher. The first novel written by a woman in California was Steele's, The Victims of Fate, a work of fiction loosely based on David C. Broderick, the preface stating: "Some of the incidents of this little story, are real facts. I had the honor of being acquainted with the hero, from my earliest childhood. First as a lad of little promise, although to use a quaint expression, King-Bee among his boy companions. After, as a young, terprising aspirant for political fame. Last, as the finished gentleman and a nation's pride." Steele was well known for the entertainments which she provided during the early days of the California Gold Rush, where, with her son, George, she acted out scenes from Shakespeare and bits of comedy. Steele died in 1901.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabeth M. Olmsted</span> American poet (1825–1910)

Elizabeth M. Olmsted was an American poet of the long nineteenth century. Her poems were well known during the Civil War, and appeared in the newspapers and magazines of that period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henrietta Skelton</span>

Henrietta Skelton was a 19th-century German-born Canadian-American social reformer, writer, organizer, and lecturer in the German Spanish, and English languages. She was the superintendent of the German work for the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union (NWCTU), and president of the State Union of Idaho, In that capacity, she traveled all over the United States, lecturing in English and German, and leaving behind her local unions of well-organized women. Skelton's name was known by thousands of German citizens of the United States as one of the most dedicated workers in the temperance movement. For a time, she edited the temperance paper known as Der Bahnbrecher, besides writing several books published in the English language, including The Man-Trap (Toronto), a temperance story; Clara Burton (Cincinnati), a story for girls; and The Christmas Tree (Cincinnati), a description of domestic life in Germany. Skelton died in 1900.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maude Andrews Ohl</span> American journalist (1862–1943)

Maude Andrews Ohl was an American journalist, poet, and novelist. She was The Atlanta Constitution's first woman reporter. Her published works include a biography about James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Cousin Butterfly: Being Some Memories of Whistler (1904); the novels The Wife of Narcissus (1908), and Melissa Starke (1935); as well as poetry collection Songs of Day and Night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grace Hibbard</span> American author (ca. 1835 - 1911)

Grace Hibbard was an American author and poet of the long nineteenth century. Hibbard had a large following among the women of California. Among her books were California Sunshine, California Violets, and Wild Roses of California. Some of her best-known poems included "The Engineer's Daughter" and "Waiting for Colin". Her short story, "Bummer and Lazarus", set in San Francisco, was translated into the German and printed in one of the leading papers published in the German language.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "San Francisco Call". cdnc.ucr.edu. 25 February 1908. Retrieved 6 September 2017 via California Digital Newspaper Collection.
  2. Mighels 1893, p. 23.
  3. Grimes 2011, p. 177.
  4. 1 2 3 Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 574.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Fowler and Wells 1867, p. 29.
  6. Pittsinger 1882, p. 1.
  7. Willard & Livermore 1893, p. 575.
  8. Farwell, Pittsinger & Washburn 1862, p. 3.
  9. "Eliza A. Pittsinger". hymnary.org. Retrieved 6 September 2017.

Attribution

Bibliography