Shorthill, William Werner
Born: October 6, 1870, Rockford, Illinois
Died: July 26, 1948
Parents: Thomas Andrew Shorthill and Sarah Elizabeth Werner
Occupation: Businessman; railway executive; government secretary
Associated places: Dyea, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska
Association: Charter Member, Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Men's Igloo No. 6
Biography
William Werner Shorthill was a charter member of the Pioneers of Alaska, Juneau Men's Igloo No. 6, and an early Alaska businessman and territorial official.
He was born on October 6, 1870, in Rockford, Illinois, the son of Thomas Andrew Shorthill and Sarah Elizabeth Werner.
During the Klondike gold rush era, Shorthill was active in the commercial life of Southeast Alaska. He operated the Olympic News Company on Main Street in Dyea, Alaska, one of the principal gateway towns to the Klondike gold fields during the late 1890s.
He later served as Secretary of the White Pass and Yukon Railway in Skagway, a key transportation company that connected the Alaska coast with the Yukon interior during the gold rush period.
Shorthill was also involved in territorial government service. He served as Secretary to Alaska Territorial Governor Walter E. Clark from 1909 to 1913, and continued in that role under Governor John F. A. Strong from 1913 to 1918.
Through his business activities and public service, Shorthill was part of the administrative and commercial networks that helped shape Alaska during the territorial period.
William Werner Shorthill died on July 26, 1948.
Sources
- Alaska library historical records
- Biographical materials on early Alaska territorial officials
- Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Men's Igloo records
- http://www.ccl.lib.ak.us/uhtbin/cgisirsi.exe/x/x/0/5?searchdata1=ocm57319050