Shoup, Arthur

Association: Pioneers of Alaska, Juneau Men's Igloo

Role: Charter Member

Biography

Arthur Shoup was a charter member of the Juneau Men's Igloo of the Pioneers of Alaska and an early political leader in Alaska’s territorial government.

He was born on November 26, 1880, in Challis, Idaho Territory. In July 1897, he came to Alaska with his father, James M. Shoup. His father later served for three years as United States Marshal for the Territory of Alaska and for nine years as head of the Federal Policing Department of the First Division, residing in Juneau.

Arthur Shoup was educated in the public schools of Idaho and later graduated in law from Washington State University. Except for occasional trips to the states, he spent most of his early career in Alaska.

From 1902 to 1907, he served as Deputy Marshal of the Office at Ketchikan, and from 1907 to 1910, he served in the same capacity at Sitka. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected on a non-partisan ticket to the First Alaska Territorial Legislature.

During the first territorial legislative session, he was one of the authors of the Women’s Suffrage Act, the first bill passed by the Alaska Territorial Assembly. After chairing the non-partisan convention, he was re-elected to the legislature and was supported by members of the First Division for the speakership. Although he narrowly lost the election, he was chosen as the temporary speaker.

Shoup also served without compensation as superintendent of the Territorial Pioneers Home in Sitka when it opened on July 4. His work establishing and advocating for the home provided a place where elderly and indigent prospectors and miners of Alaska could live in comfort during their later years. He had earlier lobbied for the creation of the institution and worked with Alaska’s Delegate to Congress to secure permission to convert the abandoned United States Marine Barracks at the former capital in Sitka into facilities for the home.

In 1927, Shoup moved to San Jose, California, where he practiced law. He died there on April 9, 1942.

Sources

• Biographies of Alaska-Yukon Pioneers 1850-1950, Volume 2, pp. 291-292, Ed Ferrell (2009)
• Alaska Digital Archives, James Joseph Connors Photograph Collection PCA 457