Manning, Bessie C.

Association: Pioneers of Alaska, Juneau Igloo No. 6

Role: Charter Member

Associated Places: Iowa; Douglas, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Seattle, Washington

Biography

Bessie C. Manning was a charter member of the Juneau Igloo No. 6 of the Pioneers of Alaska.

She was born Bessie C. Johnson on October 21, 1889, in Iowa to Peter and Jenny Johnson. She came to Alaska with her parents in August 1898 during the early years of settlement in the Juneau–Douglas mining district.

On September 18, 1912, she married James L. Manning in Douglas, Alaska. The couple later divorced.

Bessie remarried on December 24, 1929, to Martin A. Lavenik.

In 1930, she was working as an assistant postmaster in Juneau.

Bessie C. Manning died on September 19, 1964, in Seattle, Washington.

Sources

• 1900 and 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Douglas, Alaska
• 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Juneau, Alaska
• Douglas Island Weekly News, September 18, 1912
• Alaska Daily Empire, December 26, 1929
• Alaska Sportsman, February 1965
• U.S. Social Security Death Index
• Alaska Marriage Certificate