"North to the Future"
Born about 1915 at Knik, moved to Anchorage 1919. Wesley Dunkle taught him to fly. Operated Aho Flying Service out of Anchorage.
While ferrying a Stinson through Canada in 1938, died in crash in Yukon Territory.
HARRY O. AREND Harry O. Arend (1903-1966)
was in private practice in Fairbanks. He served as District Attorney in Fairbanks from 1937-1944, as U.S. district attorney in the 4th Judicial Division in Fairbanks from1944-1949. He also served as a trial attorney with the U.S. Justice Department in the anti-trust division, as Superior Court Judge and as an Alaska Supreme Court Justice. He is buried in Angelus Memorial Cemetery, Anchorage.
, editor, publisher; born Chicago, Ill., March 31, 1907, son of Burton H. and Mary Beach (Stevenson) Atwood: education, Winnetka (Ill.) public schools, Clark University A.B. 1929; member Kappa Phi; married Evangeline Rasmuson, Winnetka, Ill., April 2, 1932; daughter, Marilyn Jeanette. Reporter Worcester (Mass.) Telegram, and Illinois State Journal 1929-35; editor and publisher Anchorage (Alaska) Daily Times and Anchorage Weekly Times since 1935; lay commissioner representing Yukon Presbytery at 1938 General Assembly of Presbyterian Church; Elk, Republican. Address: Anchorage, Alaska. Source: Pan-Pacific Who's Who, 1941, page 27.
Mrs. Ayerst came to Alaska in the 1930's as part of a string trio on the Alaska Steamship line between Seward and Seattle. She played the violin in four symphony orchestras: Tacoma, Olympia, Phoenix and Anchorage. For over 30 years she was in the first violin section of the Anchorage Symphony, much of that time serving as Concert Mistress. During her later years she played with the Borealis String Quartet in the Anchorage area. She was a member of the Anchorage Baha`i Center. She typed the entire manuscript for High Endeavors before the days of computers. Buried in Angelus Memorial Park, Anchorage.
, reindeer expert (Dec. 25, 1871 – May 1, 1945). Born of Lapp descent in northern Norway, he became a reindeer specialist and went to Alaska in 1898 with part of a herd of 1,280 of the animals imported by the government to give Eskimos a substitute for the vanishing herds of wild caribou, a closely related species; the Alaskan reindeer by 1970 numbered approximately one million head. Bahr trained native herders, learned to speak Eskimo, and eventually retired to Seattle where he acquired a small apartment house. In 1929 Carl Lomen, the "reindeer king of Alaska," whose Lomen Commercial Company beginning in 1914 had acquired large numbers of the animals (an estimated 250,000 by 1929), arrived at an agreement with Canadian officials anxious to establish a similar industry for Canadian Eskimos, to deliver 3,000 reindeer at $65 a head to Richard Island, northeast of the Mackenzie River delta. About 3,450 deer were selected to make the move, including some 2,900 does, 300 … Source: Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography by Dan L. Thrapp, pages 51-52
, civil engineer; born Austinburg, O., June 21, 1887, son of Adelbert Mortimer and Florilla (Williams) Baldwin: education, Western Reserve University B.A. 1908, George Washington University 1910-13; Beta Theta Pi; married Louise Smith, Seattle, Wash., Dec. 8, 1917 (d. May 6, 1933); children, Mortimer Wells, Frances Louise, Sylvia; married Mrs. Marguerite Holliday, Cleveland, O., Dec. 12, 1935. Joined U. S. Coast & Geodetic Survey 1909; field officer International Boundary Commission, establishing Alaska-Canada boundary, Mt. St. Elias to Arctic Ocean, 1909-13; leader in ascent of Mt. St. Elias 1913; private engineering practice in Alaska 1914-17, Seattle and Alaska since 1920; West Coast representative Schlumberger Electrical Prospecting Methods of Paris 1928-; pres. Yellow Band Gold Mines, Inc. since 1938; managing engineer Indianola Land Co. 1928-33; geodetic engineer for International Boundary Commission under NRA 1933-34; enlisted in Alaska for World War service; entered Officers' Training Camp, Presidio, San Francisco, Aug. 27, 1917; 1st lt. Inf. Nov. 27, 1917; transferred to Engineer Corps and assigned to 29th Engineers, U.S.A; overseas June 1918; attached to G.H.Q. A.E.F., orientation officer for artillery, Argonne-Meuse battle; hon. discharged April 26, 1919. Lecturer on Alaska, 1926-27, making two transcontinental tours. Member District of Columbia and Alaska bars, American Society of Civil Engineers. Congregationalist. Home: 3514 Wallingford Ave. Office: Alaska Bldg., Seattle, Wash. Source: Pan-Pacific Who's Who, 1941, page 36.
Born about 1902 in Ohio. Learned to fly in 1920 as a U.S. Navy recruit at the Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois. Arrived in Alaska in 1929. Was part of Carl Ben Eielson's team in Fairbanks transporting personnel & a fortune in furs from the merchant ship Nanuck that was stranded in the ice of the coast of Siberia. He flew in the search for the Eielson wreck after his fatal crash in the winter of 1929/30. Barney & Linious "Mac" McGee purchased a three-seat Stinson in 1931 & founded Barnhill & McGee Airways which became McGee Airways after they dissolved their partnership in about 1932. Died in automobile accident near Spokane, WA in the late 1950's.
Born August 22, 1903 Lawrence County, Colorado, came to Alaska 1932. Varied career from southeastern Alaska to the Interior to the Yukon. Barr Air Transport was his one-man, one-plane company. Best known on Gillam's mail run from Fairbanks to Bethel, also flew bush for Alaska Airlines. Territorial Senator, member Alaska Constitutional Convention, US Marshall. Retired to Grants Pass, Oregon & died there in April 1983.
Joe & Harry Blunt were partners in Pacific Alaska Airways when they expanded the airline from British Columbia to Alaska. Joe known for mail runs Fairbanks to Bethel, Fairbanks to Nome. Went on to fly for Pan American Airways. Retired in San Francisco area.
Larry Allan Beck (1935-1990) Mr. Beck was a performer who worked to promote tourism to the 49th state. That work led to his appointment by Governor Keith Miller in 1972 as "Alaska's Ambassador of Good Will." He was not only a performer of the first rank but was also an authority on Alaska, the North and its gold rush history. He had a career of writing, reciting, singing, recording and traveling the world over. He wrote 6 books of poetry, recorded eight audiotapes and completed over 10 documentary films on various historical interests of Alaska. He was also in the first graduating class for West Anchorage High School. He is buried in Angelus Memorial Park, Anchorage.
Born about 1888 in Oregon. Came to Alaska in the mid-1920's. Believed to be the first pilot to land on Kuskokwim River ice at Bethel. Was flying partner of Bennett-Rodebaugh Company in Fairbanks. Left territory for Idaho in 1930. Later lived in Las Vegas, Nevada.
, aviation executive; born Valdez, Alaska, April 2, 1907, son of Samuel and Estelle (Leopold) Blum: education, grammar, high school, university; member, Delta Gamma Sigma, Pi Tau Pi, Hammer & Coffin, Axe & Grind Stone; married Ruth Garrison, Seattle, Wash., April 2, 1935; children, Judy, Jan. Engaged in aviation for ten years as mechanic, pilot and executive, now pres. and manager Northwest Air Service, Inc.; U.S.A. Air Reserve; past pres., National Aeronautical Assn. (Seattle chapter), Seattle Aviation Industries; former manager Renton Air Port; member, Seattle Chamber of Commerce aviation committee, Northwest Aviation Planning Council committee, Mayor's Aviation committee. Clubs: Ad. Home: 4245 East Lee. Office: Northweat Air Service, Inc., Boeing Field, Seattle, Wash. Source: Pan-Pacific Who's Who, 1941, page 64.
Called the "Bristol Bay Sea Hawk" by the "Glacier Priest" Father Hubbard. Harry & Joe Barrows were partners in Pacific International Airways when they expanded from British Columbia to Alaska. On June 2, 1931 Harry, with co-pilot Al Monson made the first flight down the Alaska Peninsula past Kodiak Island when they flew Father Hubbard in a float plane to Chignik. In 1932 Pan American Airways purchased Pacific International and Alaska Airways forming Pacific Alaska Airways. Harry flew for Pacific Alaska Airways stationed in Anchorage.
Born November 18, 1892 in Oregon. Was a pilot & mechanic for Tex Rankin in Portland, Oregon in 1925. Made the first contract Air Mail flight in the northwest in 1926 flying from Vancouver, WA to Los Angeles in his TravelAir. In 1934 purchased a Tri-motor Ford from Grand Canyon Airlines of Arizona & flew to Alaska to organize and operate White Pass Airways out of Skagway. He and wife Esther also operated a gold mine near Nome. Was honored by United Airlines for being first pilot to fly mail on the Seattle - San Francisco run. Died November 19, 1975 at Nome, Alaska.
Born December 28, 1898. Became a commercial pilot in 1920, flew out of Vancouver, Bremerton & Seattle, WA before coming to Alaska to fly for Wien. In 1939 established Lon Brennan Flying Service out of Manley Hot Springs. Retired in 1948, died May 1967 at Stanwood, Washington.
First "temporary" CAA Department of Commerce aircraft inspector in Alaska. Was Marine pilot in WW II. Died in an auto accident in California in the 1950's
From Colorado. Flew in the Nome, Fairbanks and Anchorage areas. Purchased a Tri-motor Ford and formed Arctic Airways. Perhaps most famous for finding a spot in Southeast Alaska to land the Tri-motor Ford when the weather turned bad on an early trip to Seattle. Chet taught Archie Ferguson to fly.
Born March 31, 1895. Flew in South America. In about 1932 attempted to fly from Seattle to Tokyo, but the aircraft came apart during refueling attempt and he parachuted to safety. Came to Alaska in early 1930's with a Faden, one of the earliest all-metal planes, which he demolished in a wreck near Valdez. Formed Nat Browne Flying Service out of Valdez, then Fairbanks & Anchorage, then out of Bethel for many years. Flew mail routes to Lower Kuskowim & Yukon villages and to Goodnews Bay. Closed air service in 1950 after receiving contract to map DEW line radar sites. Moved to South 48 in mid-1950's. Died in August 1979 at Santa Fe, New Mexico.
TAGISH (DAWSON) CHARLIE
Although Dawson Charlie was not really an Alaskan, his influence over Alaskan history earns him a place here.
Per Wikipedia: ca. 1860s – 26 December 1908) was a Canadian Tagish/Tlingit First Nation person and one of the co-discoverers of gold that
led to the Klondike Gold Rush located in the Yukon territory of Northwest Canada. He was the nephew of Skookum Jim Mason and accompanied
him on his search for his aunt Kate Carmack. He staked one of the first three claims in the Klondike, along with his uncle and George
Carmack. Kate Carmack was his aunt. Storyteller Angela Sidney was a niece.[1]
He died in Carcross, Yukon when he fell off the White
Pass railway bridge.
GENE COGHLAN Born January 12, 1901,
at St. John, Rolette County, North Dakota, a middle son of eight
children born to William and Delia (Couture) Coghlan. He attended the University of North Dakota.
Always an adventurer, Gene worked in North Dakota, Montana, and Central
America, before coming to Alaska in 1940 to work for the Alaska Road
Commission. March 13, 1945, he married Violet Prevenas (1915-2007).
After serving in the US Army during World War II, the family homesteaded
near Wasilla. Gene worked a variety of jobs, including for Jonesville
Coal Mine, small dozer jobs for the locals, janitor for the school, and
counselor at Alcantra Youth Camp. He wrote stories, of which several
were published in the Muskeg Journal, Alaska Sportsman, Saturday Evening
Post, Harpers, True, and Colliers magazines. Gene Coghlan died in Alaska
February 24, 1992, and his ashes were buried in the homestead's small
cemetery.
Born June 29, 1903, at Minneapolis,
Ottawa County, Kansas. He and his sister, Marvel (1904-1939), barnstormed together
before he accepted an offer from Fairbanks Aircraft Co., in the mid-1920's. Joe & Ben Eielson were pilots on the 1928 Wilkins - Hearst
Antarctic Expedition. In 1929-30 Crosson flew many times in search
of the lost Eielson, at last locating the wreckage of the missing
plane in Siberia where it had crashed during a rescue operation, both
Eielson and his mechanic, Earl C. Borland being killed. Crosson flew
the bodies to Fairbanks with Soviet air escort. Becoming known as
"the trouble shooter of the Arctic," he flew without compass
thousands of miles on varied missions. On March 4, 1931, he flew
through a blizzard to deliver antitoxin to Point Barrow, threatened
with a diphtheria epidemic. Crosson was a friend of Wiley Post and in
1935 flew the bodies of Will Rogers and Post to Seattle from Point
Barrow, near where their plane crashed during a projected flight
across Siberia to European Russia. On January 4, 1936, Crosson flew
from Juneau to Fairbanks, Alaska, in nine hours with scarlet fever
serum. In 1939 Joe was flying the Pan Am Clipper out of San Francisco. Later headed Pacific Alaska Airways, the Pan
American Subsidiary. Crosson died June 21, 1949, at age 45,
following a heart attack at his office at Seattle's Boeing Field. He
was married. He was inducted into the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum Hall of
Fame in 2002.
Commander, Military District of Alaska, Jefferson Columbus Davis, born 2 March
1827, Clark County, Indiana, was the first of eight children born to William Davis, Jr. (1800-1879) and Mary Drummond (1801-1881). He
grew up in the Charleston area of Clark County on his father's farm. Around 1860 he married Marietta Woodson Athon of Indianapolis, a
daughter of Dr. James S. Athon (1811-1875). They had no children, but adopted and raised a niece, Ida Davis.
Davis was a career
officer in the United States Army (1848-1879). His ancestors were among the early settlers of Kentucky and Southern Indiana at the falls
of the Ohio, and had been celebrated as Indian fighters. He was educated at the county academy and enlisted in the 3rd Indiana regiment
recruited by Colonel Lane for the Mexican war.
For his performance Buena Vista, at the age of 20, Davis was given a direct
commission as 2d lieutenant in the 1st artillery which he received June 17, 1848. He was promoted 1st lieutenant in 1852. In 1858 he was
serving with the 1st U.S. artillery in Fort Moultrie, Charleston, South Carolina, an officer under Major Anderson. On April 12, 1861,
Davis was stationed at Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina, when the Confederates started their 36-hour bombardment. In recognition
of his bravery during this trying ordeal he was promoted to captain and allowed leave of absence to recruit the 22d Indiana Volunteers,
which he commanded as colonel.
On August 17, the 22nd Indiana was sent to seek out the Confederates in the interior of Missouri.
Davis was assigned to the department of the Missouri as acting brigadier-general and for his action at Milford, Missouri, December 18,
1861, was promoted brigadier-general of volunteers. He commanded a division and contributed heavily toward a Union victory at the battle
of Pea Ridge, March 8, 1862, and took part in the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, and the siege of Corinth. After the evacuation of
that place by the Confederates, May 29, he was assigned to the department of the Tennessee.
During this campaign he had received,
as he alleged, harsh treatment from Major General William Nelson, his superior officer. It was in September 1862 that Davis's career
passed a crisis point. He and his superior officer, William "Bull" Nelson, were at the Galt House hotel in Louisville, Kentucky,
exchanging insults. The provoked Davis, at five feet, nine inches and 125 pounds, blatantly shot and instantly killed ("in cold blood")
the six-foot-four, 300-pound Nelson. An arrest followed but Davis was never tried for this offense as politically powerful Governor
Oliver P. Morton of Indiana quickly came to his defense.
General Davis was soon after assigned to duty in Covington, Kentucky. He
commanded his division forming a part of the 20th army corps, at the battle of Stone's River, (Murfreesboro), Tennessee on December 31,
1862, when he greatly distinguished himself. General Rosecrans recommended him for promotion to the rank of major-general. He was
exemplary at Chickamauga, Georgia, in September 1863. During the Atlanta campaign, Davis especially distinguished himself in the capture
of Rome, Georgia, and in his successful attack at the battle of Jonesborough. He commanded the Fourteenth Corps in the march to the sea
and the Carolinas campaign.
Davis was never received the second star of a major general although he received five brevet
commissions. At the close of the war he was brevetted major-general of volunteers. on July 23, 1866, he was promoted colonel of the 23d
U.S. infantry and transferred to the Pacific Northwest. From September 1867 to July 1870, Davis was the first commander of the military
district of Alaska. The Alaskan assignment was not a choice one.
After the murder of General Edward Richard Sprigg Canby by the
Modoc Indians in 1873 Davis succeeded to the command of the department and forced the tribe to surrender. Brevet Major General Davis
died of pneumonia in Chicago, Illinois, November 30, 1879. He was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Born February 10, 1901 at Van Zandt County, Texas. Learned to fly at Tex Rankin's Flying School in Vancouver, WA. Brought a B-1 Ryan to Alaska in March 1934. Flew for Alaska Exploration & Mining Co., McGee Airways, Woodley Airways, Star Air Lines, and founded Bering Sea Airways. Read his fascinating story in his new book
, lawyer, delegate to U.S. Congress; born Palatine Bridge, N.Y., Nov. 30, 1881, son of John P. and Emily (Sullivan) Dimond; education: public schools 1887-96, St. Mary's Catholic Institute, Amsterdam, N.Y., 1896-98; married Dorothea Frances Miller, Valdez, Alaska, Feb. 10, 1916; children, Marie Therese, John Henry, Anne Lillian. Taught school 1900-03; prospector and miner 1904-12; engaged in practice of law since 1913; U.S. Commissioner, Chisana, Alaska, 1913; special assistant U.S. Attorney, Valdez, Alaska, 1917; member Alaska Territorial Senate 1923, 1925, 1929, 1931; mayor of Valdez 1920-22 and 1925-32; delegate from Alaska to 73d-76th U.S. Congresses (1933-41); member American Bar Assn.; Elk, Moose, Eagle, Pioneer of Alaska. Catholic. Address: Valdez, Alaska. Source: Pan-Pacific Who's Who, 1941, page 178.
, clergyman, teacher, writer; born Indiana County, Pa., Dec. 8, 1869, son of Franklin and Mary Ann (Allison) Diven: education, Grove City (Pa.) College B.A. 1893, D.D. 1916; Auburn Theological Seminary 1896; married Eva Florence Wortman, Grove City, Pa., Aug. 29, 1894; children, Joseph Lyle (dec.), Florence Lucile, Robert Kenneth. Pastorates in New York 1896-1901, Oregon 1901-12, Alaska 1912-31, Florida 1931-34, Oregon since 1934; resident agent Presbyterian National Board 1927-31; teacher citizenship night classes, Alaska, 1918-21; author, "Rowdy," "Tim Towser," "The Black Wolf Mystery," and "Grizzly Basin Camp," stories of Alaska; writer of many short stories, including "The Ghost Wolf," "Jack Frost's Christmas," "Skiing for Life," "An Old Bear's Wrath," "Camping in the Alaskan Wilderness," etc., published in old St. Nicholas magazine; lecturer on "Alaskan Outdoors"; member, League of Western Writers, Pioneers of Alaska (hon.), Odd Fellows; Republican. Address: 3238 S. East Woodward St., Portland, Ore. Source: Pan-Pacific Who's Who, 1941, page 178.
Born Philadelphia, PA January 11, 1902. Came to Alaska in 1927 to be commercial fisherman. Learned to fly in Naval Reserve in Florida. Served on active duty on carriers Saratoga & Lexington. Came back to Alaska to fly for Pioneer Airways out of Ketchikan. Came to Anchorage in early 1930s and flew from Merrill Field to Kuskokwim and Bristol Bay for McGee Airways and Bowman Airways. Went to Fairbanks in 935 to fly for Noel Wien. In 1936 formed Jim Dodson Air Service and in 1947 joined with four other outfits to form Northern Consolidated Airlines. Died in Anchorage in December 1969.
Born 1893 in Detroit, MI. Came to Alaska in 1929 to join Russ Merrill as second pilot for Anchorage Air Transport. Flew for Eielson's company, Alaska Airways & in 1929 was flying a Stinson on same expedition where Eielson lost his life. In 1930 formed Dorbandt-Cope with Lon Cope selling it to Pacific International Airways in 1931. Flew for PIA based in Anchorage, and did a lot of flying in the Valley of the Ten Thousand Smokes area. Flew mercy flights to the North Coast of Siberia in 1930 & 1931. In 1938 flew a Tri-motor Ford from Los Angeles to Anchorage for Ptamigan Airways. Was an excellent pilot with a reputation as a daredevil, often in trouble with the CAA. Died in 1935 of pneumonia in Fairbanks, buried in Anchorage.
Arrived Cordova early-1930s. Later moved to Copper Center & with Al Lyle started Lyle and Dorrance Airways with service to 40 Mile Country, Nabesna and Copper River Valley. Died in airplane crash in 40 Mile Country in 1937. Buried in Dawson, Yukon Territory.
Born Clarendon, PA 1887, graduated Yale University 1908. A mining engineer he came to Alaska in August 1910 to work in the Beatson Mine in Prince William Sound. Came to Anchorage in 1930. Operated Lucky Shot mine in mountains near Willow. Learned to fly with Steve Mills in Seattle. Operated the first ambulance plane which had room for a stretcher and a nurse. He taught Toivo Aho to fly. Was one of the original investors who helped to start Star Air Service and was President from 1932 - 1938. He was the main promoter of building a canal to connect Lake Spenard & Lake Hood to provide a better sea plane base for Anchorage. Went back to mining & died at Golden Zone Gold camp in 1957, buried in Anchorage.
Flew Curtiss Robin out of Candle in mid-1930's. Died in aircraft accident in Norton Sound, between Kotzebue and Deering in mid-1930's.
Made first non-stop flight between Seattle & Juneau in 1929 in Wasp-powered Lockheed Vega on floats for Alaska Washington Airways. Flight took 9 hours 35 minutes. Jack Halloran was mechanic on the flight & R. E. "Bob" Ellis was navigator. Continued to fly in Southeastern Alaska.
Born at Hatton, North Dakota in 1897. The second most famous American aviation pioneer after Charles Lindbergh. Arrived in Fairbanks in 1922 as a school teacher. In 1923 pioneered air mail service in Alaska flying twice monthly mail from Fairbanks to McGrath in an open cockpit DeHavilland. In September 1928 Eielson & Joe Crosson were pilots on the Wilkins -Hearst Antarctic Expedition. Also in 1928 Eielson received the Distinguished Flying Cross for flying Sir Hubert Wilkins from Point Barrow to Spitzbergen, Norway in a Lockheed Vega, the first flight across the North Pole. Purchased Anchorage Air Transport in 1929 and changed the name to Alaska Airways. Obtained a contract to fly 15 stranded passengers & six tons of furs from the trading ship Nanuck which was stranded in the ice off Siberia. Carl and his mechanic Earl Borland were killed in their Hamilton Metalplane in Siberia November 9, 1929 on their second flight to the ship. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1985, & the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum Hall of Fame in 2003. [A more indepth biography is available on page 456 of Encyclopedia of Frontier Biography by Dan L. Thrapp.]
The Clerk of the District Court and
ex-officio Secretary of State is Hon. Albert D. Elliott. He was born in
the year 1859, in the state of Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of
Harvard, in the class of 1889 in the collegiate course. He also
graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan. He came
to Alaska during the summer of 1897 and was appointed Clerk of the
District Court, which position he has since held. During the absence of
the Governor, he is by law made the acting governor.
Mr. Elliott
is not a tall man, weighs about 160 pounds, wears a mustache and has
dark brown hair. He is a thoroughly competent man and runs his office in
a satisfactory manner. He received his appointment before he came to
Alaska, and was living in Washington at the time the good strike struck
him. Mr. Elliott is pleasant and accommodating, although by nature he
cares more for business than the social side of the world.
Source: Douglas Island News, Douglas City, Alaska, January 18, 1899
Learned to fly in Oakland, CA before 1930; came to McGrath in 1934 to work for the game warden, then to Anchorage as a pilot for Star Air Service. Flew Bellancas, Stinsons, Ford Trimotors out of Anchorage. Left Alaska in 1943 and was chief pilot for Consolidated Vultee Aircraft in San Diego, CA. Last flew in Alaska in 1947 on Kenai Peninsula on a bear hunt.
Born St. Albans, VT January 20, 1903. At age 16 attended US Naval Academy where he received navigation & flight training. In 1929 Anscel Eckmann asked him to plot a course for the Alaska Washington Airways record breaking nonstop flight of a Lockheed Vega from Seattle to Juneau. Ellis went along to begin his long aviation career in Alaska. He flew all over Alaska with a variety of airlines. In 1936 he purchased a Waco float plane & established Ellis Air Transport in Ketchikan, later renamed Ellis Air Lines which merged with Alaska Coastal Airlines in 1965 to become Alaska Coastal-Ellis Airlines, which became part of Alaska Airlines in 1968. Was a Senator in the Alaska Territorial Legislature 1955 - 1958. Bob died in May 9, 1994 at Ketchikan. In 2004 he was inducted into the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum Hall of Fame.
Came to Juneau in mid-1930's as pilot for Clarence Walter's Alaska School of Aeronautics. Then flew for Hans Mirow in Nome. Later for Star Air Service in Fairbanks and Point Barrow. Died in pulp mill accident in Southeastern in 1959.
Flew briefly for McGee Airways, then for Noel Wien in Fairbanks. Died in aircraft crash in McGrath.
"Christ, I like to fly," sums up this colorful character of Northern Aviation. Born January 24, 1895 in Ohio, arrived in Alaska in 1917. Ferguson family hired Chet Browne from Colorado in the 1920's to teach Archie to fly. Once described as the craziest pilot in Alaska. He owned a restaurant in Kotzebue and operated his own flying service out of Kotzebue for many years. Died of natural causes in Mexico in February 1967.
Born 01 Dec 1872 in Minnesota. She left home when a young teen. For a time, she was an outstandingly beautiful, fine-boned faced, prostitute in Dawson, She moved from Dawson to Nome during the Gold Rush. During a trip to Spokane, Washington, Hulda met and married Sheldon Ford. The marriage was an unhappy one and lasted only a short time. In 1902 she bought a steamer ticket and returned to Nome, Alaska. Her first act was to get a formal divorce. She started work as a waitress, saving her money and working up until she bought the old NC Company building and turned it into a boarding house.
About 1905, Hulda became engaged to a young man in Nome. She gave him a considerate amount of money and sent him ahead to Fairbanks to invest for a new hotel. Unfortunately, he had either spent or gambled away all of her money. Her experiences with men, love, and money are thought to have caused her distrust in people and her eccentric personality.
In Fairbanks, Hulda bought the old school house building on Second and Noble and turned it into a boarding house. Selling it later for a handsome profit. She continued to buy property in Fairbanks for the next 50 years. Most of her purchases were through court actions or auctions. She bought many failing businesses in Fairbanks often just for the amount of the trip outside. She was reputed to own more city real estate than anyone else in town. She did not believe in banks. She never cashed any of the rental checks she received from tenants. Instead, she stored them in dresser draws and trunks in her home. She had been a well-known figure dressed in early 1900 fashion and high button shoes. In later years, she dressed in rags, a long dirty black coat, and carried an ancient black bag wrapped in a dirty scarf. After her death, that old black bag was opened to find $8,750 in uncashed checks. Hulda remained well-spoken and astute, but she became a recluse. She was a packrat, who walked the streets of Fairbanks during the night dragging home anything left out on the streets. In 1955 many of her downtown buildings were in such disrepair they were condemned. She was in and out of the hospital in later years. In early 1957, she became ill in her room at the old Acme Hotel. The doctor was called and over her protests was placed in the St Joseph's hospital, where she died 21 Feb 1957, mostly from malnutrition. She was buried in Birch Hill Cemetery, Fairbanks, Alaska. She had left everything to one of her brothers in her will. This was disputed by other relatives when it was reported that she was worth over a half of a million dollars. It was years before her estate was finally settled with a reported value of over $250,000.
Much more about Hulda Ford can be found in Jack de Yonge's book Boom Town Boy: Coming of Age on Alaska's Lost Frontier.
Edward J. Fortier (1917-2001) Mr. Fortier was stationed in Ketchikan in 1942 with the U.S. Army. He served in the Counter-Intelligence Corps and was Alaska's last living spy to have served in Alaska during WWII. Edward Fortier, also known as "Fast Eddie" or "Champy," was one of Alaska's leading journalists and editors. During his 58 years in Alaska, Mr. Fortier's career ranged from being the Director of Territorial Civil Defense to Hospital Administrator at Providence Hospital. He served on the first Alaska Big Game Guide Board. Professionally, his passion was writing and editing. He was executive editor of Alaska Magazine from 1966-1976 and author of the book One Survived. He was a former correspondent for the National Observer and reporter for the Anchorage Times between 1946 and 1948. During the same period of time, he produced and edited the weekly tabloid, "The 49th Star." He is buried in Valley Memorial Park, Palmer AK.
The subject of this sketch is
fifty-eight years of age and was born in the state of Kentucky. His
father was for years an officer in the Prussian army. He removed from
his native land to the state of Kentucky, where he married a lady who
belonged to one of the first families of that state. His son Robert was
educated in his native state and graduated from the law department of
the State University. He removed to Topeka, Kansas, where he entered
upon the practice of law in 1872 and remained at that place until 1889.
At Topeka Gen. Friedrich enjoyed a good practice and was one of the
leading lawyers of the state. He has always been a republican while all
his friends and relatives in his native state were radical democrats. He
was in deep sympathy with the union cause during the "unpleasantness"
while his relatives were equally as ardent in their support of the
Southern cause. While in Topeka Gen. Friedrich was employed by the state
to assist the county attorney in prosecuting liquor cases under the
prohibition laws of that state, in which he was very successful,
securing convictions where all others failed. He was appointed Brigadier
General of the Kansas National Guards and also held the position of
Adjutant General of that state. He removed to San Francisco in 1889
where he continued the practice of law. Gen. Friedrich was one of the
leading lawyers and republican politicians of California while he
resided there. He was twice elected Commander in Chief of the Army and
Navy League of California, and was also chosen as chairman of the Union
League Club, the high-toned club of San Francisco.
In Kansas Gen.
Friedrich achieved his greatest reputation in criminal law, but in San
Francisco his practice was principally corporation law.
During
the month of September last Gen. Friedrich came to Alaska, having been
appointed District Attorney in July, and at once entered upon the
discharge of his duties. His previous experience in criminal law has
been of great benefit to him, for he has been successful in his criminal
cases from the first. Gen. Friedrich is a strong, forcible talker, an
eloquent speaker, and it matters not whether it be before a jury or
addressing a political meeting, he is one of the best to be found
anywhere.
Gen. Friedrich is about six feet tall and weighs over
200 pounds and is well proportioned. He is a genial, social gentleman
and can entertain a friend or a crowd in conversation in a pleasing
manner. His hair is dark and he wears a mustache of the same color. We
regret to say that he, like Judge Johnson, parts his hair in the middle.
He has made many strong friends since he came to Alaska. While he is a
vigorous prosecutor, he is also just, when the case demands mercy at his
hands.
Source: Douglas Island News, Douglas City, Alaska, January 18, 1899
Charles Harold Gillam was born 1903 Kankakee, Illinois and raised in Nebraska. In 1923 came to Cordova & Chitina as a "cat skinner" for the Alaska Road Commission, then Bennett-Rodebaugh Airplane Transport Co. in Fairbanks. Learned to fly in Fairbanks in 1929 & with only 40 hrs training & no license, flew a Stearman across Alaska in the search for the Eielson crash & was the pilot who spotted the wreckage. In 1929 he was engaged to Joe Crosson's sister Marvel who was killed during the Cleveland Air Derby. Gillam flew a mail route from Fairbanks to Bethel. In 1931 he left Fairbanks & founded Aircraft Charter Co. in Cordova & Copper Center. In about 1932 he founded Gillam Airways. He died following a Jan 5, 1943 crash in a Lockheed Electra 10B near Ketchikan on a flight from Seattle to Anchorage with 5 passengers. All survived the original crash; one died from injuries, & Harold froze to death trying to walk out for help. The remaining 4 passengers were rescued by Coast Guard Cutter McLane after 33 days. Harold is buried in Fairbanks.
, retired merchant; born Ireland, March 10, 1877, son of John and Catherine (Fitzmaurice) Gilmore: education, public schools; married Elizabeth Anne Guinan, Seattle, Wash., Oct. 3, 1906; two sons, two daughters. Dry goods salesman Murphy Grant & Co., San Francisco, 1901-05; engaged in men's clothing and furnishing business in Ketchikan, Alaska, 1905-36, retired; owner Gilmore Hotel; vice pres., Miners & Merchants Bank, Commercial Bldg.; mayor of Ketchikan three years; former councilman; past pres., school board, Pioneers of Alaska; former chairman Red Cross; treasurer Boy Scouts of America (active in Boy Scout work), member Knights of Columbus; Elk. Club: Rotary (past pres., Ketchikan). Address: Gilmore Hotel, Ketchikan, Alaska. Source: Pan-Pacific Who's Who, 1941, page 255.
Born San Ramon, CA, came to Alaska in 1934 with Frank Dorbandt as co-pilot in first Ford Tri-motor in the Territory. They founded Ptarmigan Airlines which lasted only a short time. Don flew for McGee, Star and in 1938 went with Woodley Airways. In 1943 died in a crash in Gastineau Channel on a scheduled flight from Juneau to Anchorage in a Woodley Tri-motor Stinson A.
Born April 6, 1909 in Modoc County, CA, learned to fly with Al Horning at Hancock School of Aviation, Santa Maria, CA; came to Alaska with Horning in 1934. Worked for McGee Airways on mail runs from Anchorage down the Kuskokwim & Yukon Delta. In 1937 Goodman and Oscar Winchell formed Alaska Interior Airlines in McGrath & Anchorage which only lasted three months, selling to Star Air Service when Mac McGee returned to Star management. In 1937 Don enlisted investors & acquired Star Air Service renaming it Star Air Lines. He was active in Star management in efforts to expand to routes from Alaska to the States and was prominent in development of Alaska Star Airways during war years. Joined the Royal Air Force Ferry Command, then the Naval Air Transport. Quit the aviation business to become a contractor after World War II. Retired to Freemont, CA & celebrated his 100th birthday on April 6, 2009.
, lawyer, jurist; born Hunters, Ore., Nov. 18, 1890, son of Charles Eugene and Jennie Adella (Gorseline) Gore: education, Kalama (Wash.) grade and high schools, U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School, University of Washington LL.B. 1914; married Irene DuHamel, Ketchikan, Alaska, Feb. 6, 1921; children, Charles Millard, Robert Randolf, Nancy Rena, Diane DuHamel. Practiced law at Juneau, Alaska, 1914-18; U.S. Shipping Board 1919-20; assistant U.S. Attorney, 1st division, Alaska, 1921-25; practiced law at Ketchikan, Alaska, 1925-32; U.S. District Judge 2nd division, Alaska, 1932-34; law practice at Ketchikan since 1935; member, American Bar Assn., Southeastern Alaska Bar Assn., Arctic Brotherhood (Grand Secretary), Elks, Rotary; Republican. Address: Ketchikan, Alaska. Source: Pan-Pacific Who's Who, 1941, page 262.
Born about 1898 in Washington. Learned to fly in the U.S. Air Service at Arcadia, Florida. Was a bush pilot in Nome in the very early days of aviation. After leaving Alaska was for a period the personal pilot for movie star Wallace Beery.
Pilot for Yukon Treadwell Mining Company of Juneau in early 1930's. Flew Bellanca float planes. Slim & his passenger died in October 1936 in the crash of a Bellanca that once belonged to actor Wallace Beery. They crashed in British Columbia on a flight between Seattle and Juneau.
, public service; born New York City, February 6, 1887, son of Emil and Phebe (Fridenberg) Gruening; education, Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, Conn., 1903; Harvard University A.B. 1907, M.D. 1912; married Dorothy Elizabeth Smith, Norwood, Mass., Nov. 19, 1914; children, Ernest (dec.), Huntington Sanders, Peter Brown. Reporter, special writer Boston American 1911-13; assistant editor Boston Herald 1913-14; managing editor Boston Traveler 1914-16; managing editor and editor Boston Journal 1916-17; assisted in organizing Bureau of Imports, War Trade Board, Wash., D.C.; managing editor New York Tribune 1918; World War service Field Artillery, stationed at Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, Ky., and candidate for commission when armistice was signed; president The Prensa Printing Corp., and general manager La Prensa, only Spanish and Latin American daily in United States 1919-1920; managing editor The Nation 1920-23, editor 1933-34; national director of publicity, LaFollette Progressive Presidential Campaign 1924; founder Portland (Me.) Evening News 1927, editor until 1932; editor New York Evening Post Feb.-Apr. 1934; director Division of Territories and Insular Possessions, U.S. Dept. of Interior, with jurisdiction over Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, South Sea and equatorial islands May 27, 1935-Dec. 5, 1939; administrator Puerto Rico Reconstruction 1935-37; federal emergency relief administrator for Puerto Rico 1935-36; Governor of Alaska since Dec 6, 1939. Acted in advisory capacity for various metropolitan newspapers, represented Collier's, etc., in Mexico 1932; general adviser to U.S. delegation to 7th Pan American Conference, Montevideo 1933; member Council on Foreign Relations, American Academy of Political and Social Science, Foreign Policy Assn. (dir. 1932-1936). Editor "These United States" (symposium); author, "Mexico and Its Heritage," 1928; "The Pubic Pays," 1931; contributor to Dictionary of Amerian Biography, Encyclopaedia Social Science, American Year Book, Britannica, and various magazines. Lecturer 1931, in Seminar in the Caribbean, 1934 in Mexico, organized by Committee on Cultural Relations with South America; lecturer on inter-American relations, New School for Social Research 1934. Clubs: St. Botolph (Boston), Harvard (New York). Home: Governor's House. Office: Federal Bldg., Juneau, Alaska. Source: Pan-Pacific Who's Who, 1941, pages 271-272.
Aircraft inspector, Department of Commerce CAA came to Alaska in 1934 as the permanently assigned CAA inspector replacing Hugh Brewster who had been temporarily assigned. He was inspector at the time of Post-Rogers crash in 1035.
Early parachute jumper and pilot. Came to Alaska and worked for Bob Reeve out of Valdez. Then moved to Fairbanks and flew for old Pacific Alaska Airways to Bethel and Nome. Also flew briefly for Hans Mirow. Left Alaska with Pan American to fly international routes to Central and South America. Died in South America of natural causes.
Flew Curtiss Robin in Fairbanks and Chicken Creek area; later went with Pacific Alaska Airways, then Pan American Captain in Seattle.
Flew for Ferguson Airways in Ketchikan & Wien in Fairbanks and Nome. Was a partner in Lavery Airways with Bill Lavery in Fairbanks. They had a monocoupe and an open cockpit Standard. Known by some as "Smiling Jack".
Partner with Percy Hubbard in Fairbanks. Died in airplane accident while returning from Dawson. Burned plane was found years later.
Born Victoria, BC; Learned to fly with the RCAF during WW I. First flew in Alaska out of Fairbanks on the mail run Nenana - Bethel. Also flew for Pacific International Airways out of Anchorage. In 1936 Alex partnered with James V. Davis starting a new service in Southeast Alaska, Marine Airways. Their first plane was a Bellanca Pacemaker dubbed "Shakey Jake." In 1940 Marine Airways merged with Shell Simmons' Alaska Air Transport to form Alaska Coastal Airlines, which merged with Ellis Airlines in 1965 to become Alaska Coastal-Ellis Airlines which became a part ofAlaska Airlines in 1968.
P Phil R. Holdsworth (1910-2001) Mr. Holdsworth came to Alaska in 1913. He and his wife Peggie were married in Fairbanks in 1942. He became mill Superintendent of Mindanao Mines in Surigao. In 1942 Gen. Douglas MacArthur ordered our Philippine troops to surrender. Mr. Holdsworth resigned his commission as a second lieutenant and with his wife Peggie conducted guerilla activities with the locals against the Japanese. They were captured on July 1, 1942 and were held prisoners until February 3, 1945. In 1952 Mr. Holdsworth assumed the position of Commissioner of Mines for the state of Alaska and with statehood in 1959, Phil assumed the position of Commissioner of Natural Resources where he was largely responsible for the selection of Prudhoe Bay for state lands. Later, he was president of the state Chamber of Commerce, Alaska State Elks and the Alaska Miner's Association. He is buried in Angelus Memorial Park, Anchorage.
Born Dec 17, 1913 Boise, ID. Learned to fly in 1935 at St. Louis, MO. Came to Anchorage in the summer of 1937 delivering the first Taylor Cub and giving flying lessons. He had a mechanic's license as well as a pilot's license. He worked for Ray Petersen then Woodley Airways. In 1941 Roy went with Pan American flying in Alaska, then flying the Pan American Clipper out of San Francisco. Retired to Seattle area as Chief Pilot for Pan American. Died of natural causes March 21, 2000 at Enumclaw, Washington.
Born about 1908 in Washington. Learned to fly in Anchorage in early 1930s. Flew for McGee Airways and Star Air Service until joining CAA in Flight Section when first established in Alaska. Later was Airways Facilities Division Chief with FAA in Los Angeles.
Born about 1899 in Wisconsin. A Fairbanks businessman who spent much money, time and effort in developing aviation in the Interior. Pilot and operator of numerous air services including Service Airways of Fairbanks. After Alaska lived in Bellevue, Washington.
