Waino Edward Hendrickson (June 18, 1896June 22, 1983) was an American Republican politician & businessman, the final Governor of the Territory of Alaska, before statehood.
Hendrickson was born in Juneau in 1896. He served in World War I before he became a manager at the Juneau city dock. He worked in business before he entered politics in 1946 and was elected Mayor of Juneau. He served as mayor until 1953. He was also a member of the Territorial House from 1948 to 1953.
He was Secretary of Alaska Territory from 1953 to 1959 in which capacity he served as acting governor twice because of the resignations of Governors Frank Heintzleman and Mike Stepovich.
Early life
Hendrickson was born June 18, 1896, in Juneau, Alaska, where he grew up the son of Finnish immigrants. After graduating from Juneau High School in 1916, he worked in the mine. After an accident, Hendrickson lost partial sight in one eye. After this, he served in the U.S. military during World War I, and was en route to France before the armistice was signed. After being discharged from the army, he worked as a manager at the Juneau city dock.