Emelia Schaub: A Trailblazing Attorney Who Made History

Emelia Schaub’s Remarkable Journey

Emelia Christine Schaub (1891–1995) was more than just a lawyer; she was a pioneer who broke barriers for women in law and advocated for justice throughout her life. As Michigan’s first elected female prosecutor and the first woman in the U.S. to successfully defend a murder trial, her legacy resonates deeply in both the legal profession and her Leelanau County community

Early Life and Roots in Leelanau County

Born in 1891 in a log cabin in Centerville Township, Michigan, Emelia was the eldest of eight children. Her family, early settlers in Provemont (now Lake Leelanau), operated a general store. Emelia’s grandparents, originally from Germany, chose the Leelanau Peninsula for its ideal grape-growing conditions, inspired by its location along the 45th parallel.

Emelia’s early years were spent helping in the family store and working the telephone switchboard. This experience ignited her determination to pursue education and a career. At 24, she enrolled at MacLachlan’s Business University, eventually leading to her interest in law.

Breaking Barriers in Law

Despite facing skepticism and discouragement, Emelia graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1924, becoming the first woman from Leelanau County to practice law. She later earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Detroit.

In 1926, Emelia became the first woman in the U.S. to successfully defend a murder trial, an achievement that garnered national attention. By 1936, she returned to her beloved Leelanau County to serve as the first elected female prosecutor in Michigan, holding the position for six terms.

Champion for Justice

One of her most notable achievements was her advocacy for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Emelia fought tirelessly to return their ancestral lands, creating a foundation for the tribe’s eventual federal recognition in 1980. Her efforts earned her honorary membership in the tribe in 1942.

Community Contributions

Emelia co-founded the Leelanau Foundation and the Leelanau Historic Society. She also served as secretary and treasurer of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. Her lifelong contributions to justice and her community earned her recognition in the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame and the State Bar of Michigan’s Champions of Justice.

A Legacy Remembered

Emelia passed away in 1995, but her name lives on in numerous ways, including Emelia’s Landing, a park and lake access point, and a granite boulder commemorating her at the county building in Leland. In 2021, the Emelia C. Schaub Pioneer Award was established to honor her legacy.

Emelia Schaub’s life reminds us of the power of persistence and the importance of standing up for justice. Her legacy continues to inspire and pave the way for generations to come.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.