German immigrant who found his destiny in Alaska, Emil H. Pfeil was born in Seisen, Germany in 1886 and as a young man sailed before the mast to many ports of the world prior to coming to Alaska in 1919. In 1920 Emil arrived in Anchorage and went to work for the Alaskan Engineering Commission as a tie cutter in Sutton. When the Alaska Railroad headquarters were built in Anchorage, he was hired as the first blacksmith and eventually headed up that department. He put in a few years prospecting and in 1924 returned to work for the railroad until he retired in 1941.

In 1929 Emil met Muriel Caroline Anderson, was born in Spokane, Washington in 1899 and was raised and educated in Washington. She had arrived in Anchorage in 1925 to take a teaching job with the Anchorage School District. She eventually became a school principal and taught commercial subjects. Emil and Muriel were married in 1929, and she gave up her teaching career to be a mother and a housewife

After his retirement, Emil became interested in real estate and constructed several homes in Anchorage. With partner Tom Bevers, he built the Bevers and Pfeil apartment and store building on the corner of 4th Avenue and E Street. His longtime interest in civic affairs led to his service on the Public Utility Board, the City Council and a term on the board of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.

Emil and Muriel C. Pfeil had three children. Robert, born in 1930, became a captain for Alaska Airlines. He was killed in 1985. Caroline, born in 1933, became a nurse. Muriel Adele, born in 1935, operated a travel agency in Anchorage. She died in 1976. Emil Pfeil was killed in a plane crash in 1954, and Muriel C. Pfeil died in 2001 at the age of 102. She is buried in the Anchorage Memorial Park Cemeter, along with her husband and daughter Muriel A.
Emil H. Pfeil, born in 1886 in Seisen, Germany. Died in 1954.     Muriel Caroline Anderson Pfeil, born in 1899 in Spokane, Washington. Died in 2001.
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Emil hunting along the Alaska Railroad, 1929.     Muriel and Emil Pfeil at home, 618 I Street, 1933.
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Emil and Muriel Pfeil and daughters Caroline and Muriel, 618 I Street, 1940.     Emil, Muriel and friends in an outing on the Alaska Railroad, 1935.
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Emil hunting with bow.     Muriel Anderson Pfeil at age 91.
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Robert P. Pfeil, 1930-1985     Caroline A. Pfeil, born 1933.
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Muriel Adele Pfeil, 1935-1976.
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Photo captions:
  1. Emil H. Pfeil, born in 1886 in Seisen, Germany. Died in 1954.


  2. Muriel Caroline Anderson Pfeil, born in 1899 in Spokane, Washington. Died in 2001.


  3. Emil hunting along the Alaska Railroad, 1929.


  4. Muriel and Emil Pfeil at home, 618 I Street, 1933.


  5. Emil and Muriel Pfeil and daughters Caroline and Muriel, 618 I Street, 1940.


  6. Emil, Muriel and friends in an outing on the Alaska Railroad, 1935.


  7. Emil hunting with bow.


  8. Muriel Anderson Pfeil at age 91.


  9. Robert P. Pfeil, 1930-1985


  10. Caroline A. Pfeil, born 1933.


  11. Muriel Adele Pfeil, 1935-1976.


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