Booher, Benjamin Wesley, 1872-1975.

Prospected in Copper Center, Valdez, Chisna, Chitna, Gulkana, and Gakona.

From the description of Papers of Benjamin W. Booher concerning Hazelet-Meals expedition from Valdez to the Copper River-Chisna area, 1900-1975 (bulk 1900-1904). (Alaska State Library). WorldCat record id: 42926579

In 1900, Ben Booher, of Guthrie Center, Iowa, joined George Cheever Hazelet and A. Jack Meals of Nebraska on a prospecting expedition to Alaska. Booher's diary (MS 13-06) lists fourteen additional men in the party that departed Seattle, Feb. 1, 1900, on the vessel, EXCELSIOR, arriving in Valdez Bay, Feb. 13. They prospected in Copper Center, Valdez, Chisna, Chitna, Gulkana and Gakona. Booher came back to Alaska in 1904 then returned to Iowa and worked as a farmer and carpenter. He also lived in Montana, Oregon and Washington State. Booher died in Kent, Washington in April 1975, at age 102. Booher died in Kent, Washington, April, 1975, at age 102. George C. Hazelet and Jack Meals stayed in Alaska and were active in community affairs at Valdez. Mr. Hazelet later served as Mayor of Cordova.

From the description of Benjamin Wesley Booher photograph collection [graphic], 1900-1904. (Alaska State Library). WorldCat record id: 51458075