Keithahn, Edward L. (Edward Linnaeus), 1900-1970

Edward Linnaeus Keithahn was born in Tenino, Washington on May 15, 1900. He served in World War I and attended the University of Washington. In 1923, he married Marie Antoinette (Toni) LaChance. That same year, the couple moved to Shishmaref and taught at the BIA school. While in Shishmaref, Keithahn studied local paleontology and Eskimo language. The Keithahns left Alaska to continue their studies at the University of Washington, in 1925 then in 1928, went to Kake, Alaska, and taught until their relocation to Hydaburg (1933) then to the Wrangell Institute (1937). Keithahn was appointed Curator of the Territorial Library and Museum in 1941, a position he held until retiring in 1965. E.L. Keithahn died on September 26, 1970, in Eugene, Oregon. He wrote many articles and several books on Alaska including, "Igloo Tales," "Monuments in Cedar," and "Eskimo Adventures." Toni Keithahn died in 1994. The couple had three children: Yvonne, Loretta Lou and Richard.