Van Lehn, John Lewis

Born: c. 1869

Birthplace: Tuscarawas, Ohio

Died: July 25, 1931 (age 62)

Place of death: Juneau, Alaska

Residence: Willoughby Avenue, Juneau, Alaska

Occupation: Carpenter

Association: Charter Member, Pioneers of Alaska, Juneau Men's Igloo

Biography

John Lewis Van Lehn was an early resident of Juneau and a charter member of the Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Men's Igloo. He was born about 1869 in Tuscarawas, Ohio.

Before coming north, Van Lehn lived in Port Angeles, Washington. He arrived in Alaska in 1896, during the years when the region was developing rapidly as a center for mining and maritime commerce in Southeast Alaska.

Nearly all of the years he spent in the Territory were spent in the Juneau area. Van Lehn worked as a carpenter by trade and for many years maintained a shop in Juneau, contributing to the construction and development of the growing community.

Van Lehn’s wife died in 1925. The couple had no children, and his only known relatives were believed to be living in Ohio.

John Lewis Van Lehn died suddenly of heart trouble on July 25, 1931, at his home on Willoughby Avenue in Juneau at the age of 62.

Sources

• The Daily Alaska Empire, July 27, 1931
• Biographies of Alaska-Yukon Pioneers 1850–1950, Volume 5, p. 279, by Ed Ferrell (May 1, 2000)