Description: Emma O'Connor worked as a commercial photographer with her husband (a photographer and dentist) in Blocksburg. She moved to Blocksburg with her parents from Rough and Ready, California, around 1876, and in 1878 married Deming Loran O'Connor. She and her husband had five children.
In 1885, her husband became a licensed dentist and they both became interested in photography. In 1893 the family relocated to Hydesville where she had her own gallery in connection with her husband's dentistry office. By July 1894, the family moved to Fortuna and Mr. O'Connor relocated his dentistry office to a local hotel, the Lane House. Emma continued with her photography as well as working in the dental office and cooking for the hotel.
Considered "quite an ambitious woman," she helped institute Reichling Parlor #97 (in Fortuna) of the Native Daughters of the Golden West. She was also an active member of the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs, the Pythian Sisters, the Grandmother's Club of Fortuna and the local Monday Club.
In addition to her photography she did oil painting and watercolor painting on china. She died in 1936 "after being paralyzed for years," the result of a fall and of being struck by an automobile.
