Waino Hendrickson

Hendrickson was born June 18, 1896, in Juneau, Alaska, where he grew up the son of Finnish immigrants.[2][3] He served in the U.S. military during World War I, and was en route to France before the armistice was signed. After being discharged from the army, he worked as a manager at the Juneau city dock. He worked in laundry & wholesale grocery businesses, as well as other ventures.[4]

Hendrickson entered politics in 1946, when he was elected mayor of Juneau. He served as Mayor of Juneau until 1953. While serving in this role, he was also a member of the territorial House of Representatives from 1948 to 1953.

In 1953, Hendrickson was appointed Secretary of Alaska Territory (equivalent to Lieutenant Governor of Alaska today) by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, under Governor Frank Heintzleman. He held this office until statehood, serving as acting governor twice, once in 1957, and again from 1958 to 1959. Hendrickson was the first Alaska governor born in the territory. After statehood Hendrickson served on several government commissions until he retired due to poor eyesight. He went to live with his daughter in Anchorage, Alaska, and spent the rest of his life with her until he died in 1983, at the age of 87.

• University of Alaska, Stories – Waino Hendrickson, A Man of the People
• Waino Hendrickson at 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature