James A. Wickersham
James A. Wickersham was a United States district judge in the Territory of Alaska. He was appointed by President William McKinley in 1900 and resigned from the post in 1908.[1][2]
Life and achievements
Wickersham moved to Eagle, Alaska in 1900 after his appointment as United States district judge. In 1901 he moved to Nome, in 1902 to Valdez, and in 1903 to Fairbanks where he remained until his resignation in 1908. After his resignation as judge, Wickersham went on to serve 7 terms in Congress.[1]
Alaska's infrastructure was limited at the time of his term and he was known to travel his circuit by snow-shoe, sled dog and steamboat in order to deliver justice on the frontier.[2] In 1938 he published his memoir, Old Yukon: Tails, Trails, and Trials.[3]
Alaska's statehood
Wickersham was responsible for passing the Second Organic Act that providing the Territory of Alaska with an elected legislature and in 1916 he introduced the first Alaska Statehood Bill to congress.[4]
University of Alaska
Wickersham introduced legislature that helped establish the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, which eventually became the University of Alaska.[4]
Wickersham Wall
In 1903, Judge Wickersham led the first documented climbing attempt on Denali (Mt. McKinley), reaching the height of 10,000ft with a team of four. The route used by Wickersham has since been named the Wickersham Wall.[4]
Wickersham in present day Alaska
Wickersham's home from 1928 to 1939 at 213 Seventh Street in Juneau is now a state historic site. On his birthday, August 24th, Alaska celebrates Wickersham Day.
Career
- 1931-1933: Served on Seventy-third Congress
- 1921: Served on Sixty-Sixth Congress
- 1919: Served on Sixty-fifth Congress
- 1909-1917: Served as a Republican in the Sixty-first, Sixty-second, Sixty-third, and Sixty-fourth Congresses
- 1900-1908: A federal district court judge for the Territory of Alaska
- 1898: A member of the State house of representatives
- 1894: A city attorney in Tacoma, Washington
- 1884-1888: A probate judge for Pierce County, Washington[1]
See also
- News: Alaskans celebrate 155th birthday of judge and frontiersman James Wickersham, September 3, 2012
External links
- Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, "Alaska gained home rule a century ago on Wickersham's birthday," Aug 23, 2012 (dead link)
- Alaska State Library – Historical Collections, "PDF Transcript of James A. Wickersham's Journal 1900-1941"
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "James A. Wickersham"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Juneau Empire, "Judge James A. Wickersham's legacy lives on," August 26, 2012
- ↑ Juneau Empire, "A Judge's LifeOpened for the world to read," January 28, 2005
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The University of Alaska, "Alaskans for Statehood: James A. Wickersham"
