Notable Alaska historical figures Clarence L. Andrews customs official and an information officer, recognized authority on the history and culture of the Alaskan territory in early 1900's, photographer, author Alexandr Baranov (1746-1819) trader, public official, Russia Edward Lewis "Bob" Bartlett (1904 1968) was the territorial delegate to the US Congress from 1944 to 1958, and was elected as the first senior U.S. Senator in 1958 and re-elected to a full 6-year term in 1960 and again in 1966. There are streets, buildings, a high school and even the first state ferry, named for him. Benny Benson, designed state flag at age 13, Chignik Vitus Bering (1681-1741) explorer Charles E. Bunnell educator Jimmy Doolittle (1896-1993) (James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle) served with great distinction as a general in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War, earning the Medal of Honor as the commander of the Doolittle Raid. Wyatt Earp (1848-1929) lived in Alaska from 1897 to 1901; he built the Dexter Saloon in Nome, Alaska with C.E. Hoxsie. William A. Egan (1914-1984) served two years as an "Alaska-Tennessee Plan" Senator in Washington D.C. prior to becoming the first Governor of Alaska, and remains the only Alaskan Governor to serve three terms. Carl Ben Eielson pioneer pilot Vic Fischer emeritus professor and one of two remaining signers of the Alaska Constitution Henry Ernest Gruening (1886 1974) was appointed Governor of the Territory of Alaska in 1939, and served in that position for fourteen years. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1958 and re-elected in 1962 and served until 1969. One of two Senators who voted against Tonkin Gulf Resolution at beginning of the heaviest period of the Vietnam War. Jay Hammond (1922 2005) was Governor during the building of the Alaska Pipeline and established the Alaska Permanent Fund, providing Alaskans with essentially free money. He is regarded as somewhat of a hero because of this. He was also governor during passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act and effectively served to moderate associated issues within the state among disparate interest groups ranging from conservationists to natives to pro-development interests. B. Frank Heintzleman territorial governor Saint Herman of Alaska (1756-1837) Russian missionary, first Eastern Orthodox saint in North America. Walter Hickel former governor Sheldon Jackson (1834-1909) an American missionary and educator, the first federal superintendent of public instruction for Alaska, and bearer of the first reindeer to Alaska from Siberia. The Sheldon Jackson Museum and College are located in Sitka. Joseph Juneau (1836 1899) and Richard Harris (1833-1907), prospectors and founders of what is now Alaska's capital city, Juneau. Austin Eugene "Cap" Lathrop industrialist Ray Mala (1906-1952) is the first Native American movie star and the only film star the state of Alaska has yet to produce. He starred in MGM's Oscar-winning classic Eskimo/Mala the Magnificent filmed entirely on location in Alaska. His son Dr. Ted Mala became the first Alaska native male to become a Doctor. Dr. Mala served on Governor Walter J. Hickel's cabinet (1990) as Commissioner of Health and Social Services. Eva McGown (1883-1972), Fairbanks hostess and chorister John Muir (1838-1914), naturalist, explorer, and conservationist who detailed his amazing journeys in Alaska Territory and was instrumental, through his friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt, in protecting substantial area of forest wilderness and wildlife preserves in Alaska. William Oefelein (b. 1965) Alaska's first astronaut. His first mission, STS-116. Commander Oefelein received his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy from Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in 1988. Sarah Palin (b. 1964) Alaska's youngest Governor and first female Governor Elizabeth Peratrovich (1911-1958) a Native (Tlingit) Alaskan who fought for equality of Native Alaskans and is honored with "Elizabeth Peratrovich Day." George Sharrock (1910 2005) moved to the territory before statehood, eventually elected as the mayor of Anchorage and served during the Good Friday Earthquake in March 1964. This was the most devastating earthquake to hit Alaska and it sunk beach property, damaged roads and destroyed buildings all over the south central area. Sharrock, sometimes called the "earthquake mayor," led the city's rebuilding effort over six months. Soapy Smith, Jefferson Randolph Smith, "Alaska's Outlaw." The infamous confidence man and early settler, who ran the goldrush town of Skagway, Alaska, 1897-98. Fran Ulmer was the first woman elected to statewide office she became Lieutenant Governor in 1994. Saint Innocent of Alaska (1797-1879) First Russian Orthodox bishop in North America Joe Vogler (1913-1993) founder of the Alaskan Independence Party Noel Wien (1899-1977) aviation pioneer, founder of Wien Air Alaska, first to make a round trip between Alaska and Asia. Ferdinand von Wrangell (1797-1870) explorer, president of the Russian-American Company in 1840-1849. Submitted by Barb Ziegenmeyer

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