The following information was provided to Hanshew Middle School by Hortense Hanshew, wife of U.S. Hanshew.

U. S. HANSHEW

Born in 1907, to Guy & Rachel (Strange) Hanshew; a. farming couple in Polk County, Nebraska.  Named Ual Strange Hanshew.  Growing up in the typical mid-west in the early years of the century, Ual learned many skills necessary to survival in that environment.  He attended the district school nearest his home, following with the High School years in the nearest town of Shelby.  Desiring to become a teacher and educator required additional schooling.   With parents unable to provide the help financially, he began his career by teaching in one of the area schools.   At that time all that was required was a state certificate, which could be obtained by taking a course in High School, then called 'Normal training'.   With credits for 2 years there, one could apply to take State examinations.  With that approval, and passing grades, a grade US certificate was granted.  Ual's first school was an 8 grade district school.  His wage was $90 per month.  He was custodian; school nurse; playground supervisor; administrator in general, as was usual for all teachers of such schools.  This went with the job! No one complained, or asked for extra pay!

With funds in hand and intentions to secure extra jobs around the college town in which he enrolled, he obtained his degree in Education from a small church sponsored college called York College, in York, Nebraska in June 1931.  With a dream of "going to Alaska" in mind, he sent application forms to EVERY town and/or village in the Territory of Alaska.  He was covering all the bases, having no knowledge as to where there were even openings. One of his applications brought him a teaching position in Valdez, Alaska.  The history teacher was to be married!  That meant that she could no longer be employed--thus an opening!

Thus began the realization of the "dream". On the way to Valdez, via the S. S. Yukon a stop was made in Juneau, and contact was made with the Commissioner of Education for the Territory--then W. K. Keller. Necessary steps were taken to secure an Alaskan teaching certificate, and thence on to Valdez for 6 years.

From Valdez a move was made to Anchorage in time to begin a new job there. Along with the social studies he was assigned the task of coaching the Anchorage Eagles. Sports were not accorded much importance in those years, and basketball was the only intramural endeavor. The favorite opponent was the Fairbanks Malemutes and school spirit was high and serious, with Anchorage Eagles usually the losers.  No gymnasium, but rented facilities were available. (Believe were in Eagles' Hall - south side of 700 block on East 3rd--not sure, though).

In the fall of 1941, with national unrest resulting in defense programs escalating in Alaska, employment opportunities seemed too timely to ignore, and Ual tendered his resignation and obtained work on a building crew, active in the building of military construction. The dollars earned would ease the support of hi s family, which now boasted of 2 daughters. His thinking was that he would also be able to return to school for work toward his master's, thusly in a position to move upward toward school administration. What was to be a 2 or 3 year break stretched into many more. During this time, he progressed into the position of foreman of a maintenance crew at the then Fort Richardson Base; and, later opened his own automotive radiator repair shop. After the business became established it was leased to another, and his thoughts turned back to his first love--schools, children and teaching_ After some extra credits were earned at Community College, Anchorage and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, he returned to .the c1assroom--this time as teacher of History at Central Junior High. This was September 1963.

A fatal heart attack on December II, 1965 took his life.

One of the students in one of his Central Junior High later suggested that the new-to-be built.  Junior High be named in his honor.  Her name was Rosemary Avery, and she had a built-in line to the ear of the school board for her father sat on same.  A remark that she made after his death may account for her request.  She said at that time: "I not only lost a good teacher--I lost a good friend".

Another item that may be of interest: In keeping with his love of schools and teaching, he ran for a position on the school board, and was elected. This was the first board of the newly formed District--called for many years the Anchorage Independent School District, and 5 members were elected. His term ran for 5 years, during which time the present West High was built.  He served as Clerk--as Treasurer--and in his last year as President. Years 1947-52.

A member of First Presbyterian church since his arrival in Anchorage in 1937, he served terms as Deacon, as Elder and as Superintendent of Sunday School.

Postscript:  Hopefully you will be able to glean the information that will be useful "to you, for the purpose to which you intend to use it.  I have sort-of written it "off the top of my head."  (If you hadn't already noticed?)  Should you wish clarification, I can be reached at *xxx-xxxx; and will be most happy to respond.                                                               .

Hortense Hanshew

Because his mother "blessed" him with a different names, Ual preferred his initials and was known by most of his peers as U. S.

* The phone number listed above was removed 12/19/06