American President
A Reference Resource
Walter J. Hickel (1969–1970): Secretary of the Interior
Walter J. Hickel was born in Claflin, Kansas, in 1919. He moved to Alaska in 1940 and worked at various trades from bartending to carpentry. Hickel later became governor of Alaska (1966-1969, 1990-1994). During the Nixon administration, he served as U.S. secretary of the interior (1969-1970).