The Keepers

Nine head keepers tended the Portage River Lighthouse between 1856 and 1920, from Michael W. Lyons, who lit it in September 1856, to Franklin W. Witz, who kept it until the light was retired on August 1, 1920. One assistant keeper, Frank W. Dolsen, served from 1912 to 1914.

 

The roster

• Michael W. Lyons: 1856 to 1857, head keeper, the first

• John Crane: 1857, head keeper

• Samuel Stephenson: 1857 to 1861, head keeper

• Earl Edgerton: 1861 to 1865, head keeper

• John B. Crebassa: 1865 to 1878, head keeper

• George Craig: 1878 to 1888, head keeper

• Carl John: 1888 to 1895, head keeper

• Charles T. Rosell: 1895 to 1902, head keeper

• Franklin W. Witz: 1902 to 1920, head keeper, the last

• Frank W. Dolsen: 1912 to 1914, assistant keeper

 

What we know about them

Michael W. Lyons became the first keeper in September 1856, when the light first shone over Keweenaw Bay.

 

John B. Crebassa kept the light for thirteen years, the longest stretch before Witz. In 1878 he was transferred to the newly finished lighthouse at nearby Sand Point.

 

George Craig knew this shore before he kept its light. Born near Huddersfield, England, he came to Montreal in 1854 and to Marquette in 1860. In 1861, sailing Lake Superior's south shore, he found the sandstone near Portage Entry that later made Jacobsville's quarries famous. He kept the Portage River light from 1878 until he retired in 1888, at sixty-nine.

 

Franklin W. Witz started at Stannard Rock in 1893 as third assistant. He tended range lights on the Portage River before taking charge of this lighthouse in 1902. When the new breakwater light replaced ours in 1920, Witz moved with it and served there as first assistant for more than ten years.

 

We know little yet about John Crane, Samuel Stephenson, Earl Edgerton, Carl John, Charles T. Rosell and Frank W. Dolsen.

 

Are you a keeper's descendant?

We would love to hear from you. Photos, letters, family stories and even a correct spelling help. Write to Keeper@PortageRiverLighthouse.com. We credit every family that shares, and each keeper will get his own page as we learn more.

 

Frequently asked questions

Who was the first keeper?

Michael W. Lyons, from September 1856.

 

Who was the last keeper?

Franklin W. Witz, from 1902 until the light was retired on August 1, 1920.

 

How many keepers were there?

Nine head keepers and one known assistant.

 

Does anyone live at the lighthouse now?

Yes. It is the private home of the Harbourt family, who are restoring it.

 

Sources

• Lighthousefriends.com, "Portage River (Jacobsville) Lighthouse," keeper list and narrative, citing the Annual Reports of the Lighthouse Board.

• History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (1883), for George Craig.

 

Last reviewed: November 2026

Quick facts

Keepers: Nine head keepers, one known assistant

Years kept: 1856 to 1920

First keeper: Michael W. Lyons, September 1856

Last keeper: Franklin W. Witz, 1902 to 1920

Longest service: Franklin W. Witz, 18 years

Light retired: August 1, 1920

Station: Portage River Lighthouse, Jacobsville, Michigan

“He found the sandstone before he kept the light.”

George Craig, keeper from 1878 to 1888, came upon the Portage Entry sandstone in 1861