Lopp, William Thomas, 1864-1939

Born June 21, 1864, William Thomas Lopp was known to the native whalers and fishermen of Alaska as the "Reindeer Man." A teacher from the midwest, his career in the Arctic north as an educator, an expert in reindeer husbandry, and an explorer spanned 37 years. Lopp began his Alaskan work as a missionary teacher at Cape Prince of Wales on the Bering Strait in 1890. Two years later he became superintendent of the reindeer station at Teller. He educated himself about Eskimo life and during these years worked to protect the Eskimos' livelihood from the encroaching white presence in native fishing grounds. In 1890 Lopp began to teach the Eskimos to become reindeer herdsmen and for the next 34 years he aided and encouraged them to care for the growing herds, thereby assuring them adequate food and income for their families. Lopp established 66 schools, five hospitals and sanitation systems, and increased prosperity in the coastal villages of northern Alaska. He promoted political and commercial independence for all Alaskan natives. However as the political mood of the country moved from support of progressive reforms toward more conservatism Lopp was pressured to resign. His position as Supt. of Native Education for the U.S. Bureau of Education was eliminated when he refused to resign, and he was forced to leave Alaska in 1925. Lopp died on April 10, 1939 in Seattle, Washington.

From the description of William Thomas Lopp papers [microform], 1890-1939. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 55508375

From the description of William Thomas Lopp papers, 1890-1939. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 51523027

William Thomas Lopp was born June 21, 1864 to Jacob C. and Lucinda Trotter Lopp in Harrison County, Indiana. He worked for six years as a teacher and principal in various Indiana schools, and was a superintendent and elder in the Presbyterian Church. He earned a B.A. at Indiana’s Hanover College in 1888.

In July 1890 Lopp arrived at Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska to teach at a mission school. Here he met Ellen Louise Kittredge, another trained teacher, and they married in 1892. Both dedicated themselves to learning the Eskimo languages and to understanding Eskimo lifeways. Seeing that Eskimo food sources were endangered by the encroachments of the burgeoning American and Canadian fishing industry, Lopp promoted reindeer herding among the native Alaskans as an alternative means of subsistence. In 1892 reindeer were brought over from Siberia and a Reindeer Station was established, of which Lopp was superintendent. He became known to the native whalers and fishermen of Alaska as the "Reindeer Man" and "Tomgorah," meaning "Tom-the-good-man."

In 1902 the Lopp family relocated to Seattle, although Lopp traveled between Seattle, Alaska and Washington D.C., working to improve the lives of Alaskan natives. He became superintendent of government schools (Native) and reindeer, northern district, of Alaska in 1904, and left that post in 1909. In 1910 he became chief of the Alaska division of the U.S. Bureau of Education, a post he held until 1923, after which he was superintendent of education of Natives of Alaska for two years. In 1925 he became a reindeer expert for Hudson’s Bay Company. In 1936, Lopp conducted a survey of the native Alaskan reindeer industry for the Indian Rights Association.

Throughout his years working with native Alaskans Lopp encouraged them to follow and care for the growing reindeer herds, assuring them and their children adequate food, clothing, and income. He developed the "endless chain" system of apprenticing young Eskimos to older reindeer herders and then giving the younger men a percentage of the increased herd. During his career Lopp established sixty-six schools, five hospitals and sanitation systems, and increased prosperity in the coastal villages of northern Alaska. William Thomas Lopp died on April 10, 1939, survived by his wife Ellen and eight children.

From the guide to the William Thomas Lopp papers, 1893-1939, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)