{{Short description|American politician (1913–1998)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Yule Kilcher | honorific_suffix = | image = | alt = | office = | state_senate = Alaska | district = H | term_start = January 28, 1963 | term_end = January 23, 1967 | predecessor = Irwin Metcalf | successor = W. I. "Bob" Palmer ([[redistricting]]) | birth_name = Julius Jacob Kilcher | birth_date = {{Birth date|1913|03|09}} | birth_place = [[Laufen, Switzerland|Laufen]], Switzerland | death_date = {{Death date and age|1998|12|08|1913|03|09}} | death_place = [[Homer, Alaska]], U.S. | resting_place = Kilcher Family Homestead | resting_place_coordinates = | party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] | spouse = Ruth Weber (divorced) | children = 8, including [[Mossy Kilcher|Mossy]] and [[Atz Kilcher|Atz]] | relatives = [[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]] (granddaughter)<br />[[Q'orianka Kilcher]] (great-granddaughter) | alma_mater = [[University of Berne]]<br />[[University of Berlin]] | occupation = Homesteader, politician | committees = | portfolio = | signature = | signature_alt = }}
'''Yule Forenorth Kilcher''' (born '''Julius Jacob Kilcher'''; March 9, 1913 – December 8, 1998) was a Swiss-born American [[Homesteading|homesteader]] who was a member of the [[Alaska Senate|Alaska state senate]] from 1963 to 1966.
He moved from Switzerland to Alaska in 1936 where he then lived permanently, after returning to Switzerland for a short time in 1939, outside of [[Homer, Alaska]].
== Life == Yule Kilcher was born Julius Jacob Kilcher (the first name is sometimes given as Jules)<ref name="sz">{{citation|surname1=Yule Kilcher|periodical=Solothurner Zeitung|title=Politische Karriere im hohen Norden. Ein Solothurner Senator im Staate Alaska|issue=9|date=January 12, 1963|language=German}}</ref> on March 9, 1913, in [[Laufen, Switzerland]], which was then in the [[canton of Bern]] (now in the [[Basel-Landschaft|canton of Basel-Landschaft]]), to Edwin Kilcher and Lina Kilcher (née Alter). His [[place of origin]] was [[Nunningen]] in the [[canton of Solothurn]]. He grew up with four siblings in [[Zuchwil]] near the canton's capital, [[Solothurn]].<ref name="bl">{{cite web | url=https://personenlexikon.bl.ch/Yule_Kilcher | title=Yule Kilcher | accessdate=June 19, 2021| author=Manuela Nipp | work=Personenlexikon des Kanton Basel-Landschaft |language=German}}</ref> After the [[Matura#Switzerland|matura]] at [[Kantonsschule Solothurn]], he studied [[Comparative linguistics|comparative philology]] and [[archeology]] in Berlin, [[Bern]], [[Grenoble]], and [[Aix-en-Provence]].<ref name="sz" /> In an autobiography he sent in 1963 to the newspaper ''Solothurner Zeitung'', Kilcher wrote that he then worked as a journalist in North Africa, Poland, the United States, and in Scandinavia, where he also worked as a logger.<ref name="sz" /> In Sweden and in the [[Carpathian Mountains]], he learned to build [[log house]]s.<ref name="bl" /> In 1936, Kilcher went for the first time to Alaska, intending to "found an idealistic community"<ref name="sz" /> there. In Alaska, he changed his name to Yule Forenorth Kilcher. He received 160 acres of land to homestead. This land was in the [[Kachemak Bay]] area, outside of [[Homer, Alaska]].
In 1939, Kilcher went back to Switzerland for a short time, intending to persuade likeminded people to emigrate to Alaska. From 1940, he lived permanently in Alaska. In 1941, he married Ruth Helen Weber, originally from [[Pratteln]], who was an American citizen.<ref name="sz" /> They had eight children who were all raised on the family homestead: [[Mossy Kilcher|Mairiis "Mossy"]], Wurtilla Dora "Wurzy", (Linda) Fay, [[Atz Kilcher|Attila Kuno "Atz"]], Sunrise Diana Irene, (Edwin) Otto, Stellavera Septima and Catkin Melody.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=June 9, 2016|title=KILCHER SISTERS REFLECT ON HOMESTEAD LIFE|url=https://www.homernews.com/news/kilcher-sisters-reflect-on-homestead-life/|access-date=April 14, 2021|website=Homer News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kilcher |first1=Eivin |title=Homestead Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Our Hearth to Yours: A Cookbook |last2=Kilcher |first2=Eve |publisher=[[Pam Krauss/Avery]] |date=October 25, 2016 |isbn=978-0-553-45956-2 |edition=1st |pages=14 |language=en}}</ref> Kilcher sought a self-sufficient, natural lifestyle.<ref name="sz2">{{cite web | url=https://www.solothurnerzeitung.ch/solothurn/weitere-regionen/sf1-zeigt-dok-film-ueber-nach-alaska-ausgewanderte-zuchwiler-familie-124586634 | title=SF1 zeigt Dok-Film über nach Alaska ausgewanderte Zuchwiler Familie | accessdate=June 19, 2021 | date=June 5, 2012 | work=Solothurner Zeitung}}</ref><ref name="ta">{{cite web | url=https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/kultur/fernsehen/tvkritik-aussteiger-in-alaska--seit-70-jahren/story/19579377 | title=TV-Kritik: Aussteiger in Alaska – seit 70 Jahren | accessdate=June 19, 2021 | author=Lukas Meyer-Marsilius | date=June 7, 2012 | work=Tages-Anzeiger |language=German}}</ref> The family lived without electricity and running water.<ref name="bl" />
Yule Kilcher produced two documentaries, filmed on [[16 mm film]],<ref name="bl" /> ''The Last Frontier'' and ''A Pioneer Family in Alaska.'' These were the first documentaries depicting homesteading life. He showcased his documentaries around Europe in the years 1947/48 and from 1956 to 1958.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Kilcher Family Homestead|url=https://www.alaska.org/detail/kilcher-family-homestead|access-date=June 20, 2021|website=ALASKA.ORG|language=en}}</ref><ref name="sz" />
In 1955, Yule Kilcher was elected to the ''Constitutional convention'' which drew the [[Constitution of Alaska]], as a representative of the [[Kenai Peninsula]]. He advocated for changing the spelling of the administrative division ''borough'' to ''boro'', arguing that the u-g-h spelling "has a nostalgic reference looking back towards New York and further beyond the ocean towards England". The amendment failed on a voice vote.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Kilcher {{!}} Creating Alaska|url=https://alaska.edu/creatingalaska//constitutional-convention/delegates/kilcher/|access-date=June 20, 2021|website=alaska.edu|language=en}}</ref> From there, he went on to hold the State Senate seat for the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] from 1963 until 1966.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.akleg.gov/basis/mbr_bio.asp?id=1228 | title=Committee/Member Information: Yule Kilcher | accessdate=June 20, 2021 |publisher=The Alaska State Legislature}}</ref> Kilcher considered himself part of the "radical" wing of his party and a "man of the people".<ref name="sz" /> In the Senate, he advocated for [[nature conservation]]. In 1968, he took part in the expedition that made the first crossing of the [[Harding Icefield]] from Homer to [[Seward, Alaska|Seward]].<ref name="bl" /> [[Exit Glacier]] received its name from that expedition leaving the icefield over the glacier.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2019/0626/A-reporter-bids-farewell-to-Exit-Glacier | title=A reporter bids farewell to Exit Glacier | accessdate=June 19, 2021 | author=Simon Montlake | date=June 29, 2019 | work=The Christian Science Monitor}}</ref>
Ruth and the children helped operate the homestead while Yule travelled to Juneau to attend the state legislature.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Kilcher|first=Atz Lee|title=Son of a Midnight Land.|date=2018|publisher=Blackstone Publishing|isbn=978-1-5047-6339-4|location=Ashland, OR|oclc=1016966084}}</ref> Yule and Ruth Kilcher divorced in 1969.<ref name="bl" /> Ruth then moved to [[Tennessee]], working as a journalist, writer and translator. In 1971, she married Charles Rodney "Rod" Mariott in [[New Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://personenlexikon.bl.ch/Ruth_Mariott-Weber | title=Ruth Mariott-Weber | accessdate=August 31, 2021| author=Manuela Nipp | work=Personenlexikon des Kanton Basel-Landschaft |language=German}}</ref>
Yule Kilcher died in Homer on December 8, 1998. The [[List of governors of Alaska|governor of Alaska]], at the time [[Tony Knowles (politician)|Tony Knowles]], ordered state flags flown at [[Half-mast|half staff]] at the day of the funeral.<ref name=":1" />
== Homesteading == In 1862, the United States of America passed the [[Homestead Acts|Homestead]] Law. If someone met certain requirements, they could obtain federally owned land as long as they proved they lived on the land and maintained it. As of 1986, homesteading is no longer possible in Alaska.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Acrobat Accessibility Report|url=https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/PublicRoom_Alaska_Homesteading_Brochure_2016.pdf|access-date=April 14, 2021|website=www.blm.gov|language=en-us}}</ref>
The Kilcher homestead grew from 160 acres to 600 acres of land.<ref name=":0" /> As time wore on, Yule saw how other homesteads around Kachemak Bay were slowly being divided up between family members and becoming smaller versions of the previous homestead.<ref name=":2" /> He did not want the hard work of his family's homestead to disappear. He created a conservation easement, set up in the 1990's, starting the Kilcher Family Trust. Through the trust, the 600 acres of the Kilcher homestead remains intact for future generations to grow on and improve.<ref name=":2" />
== Family == [[File:Jewel 2009.jpg|thumb|upright|Yule Kilcher's granddaughter, the singer [[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]]]] American singer Jewel Kilcher (born in 1974), known by her first name [[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]], is a daughter of Yule Kilcher's son Atz, who himself is a singer-songwriter, known for his [[yodeling]].<ref name=":0" /> In her autobiographical book ''Chasing Down the Dawn'', Jewel describes her grandfather Yule as a brilliant scholar who spoke eight languages, outdoorsman and politician. According to Jewel, despite his charisma, charm and intelligence, "he could be a mean-spirited, hard man, especially to those closest to him".<ref name="jewel">{{citation|surname1=Jewel|title=Chasing Down the Dawn. Stories from the road|publisher=HarperEntertainment|publication-place=New York|at=p. 13|isbn=0-06-019200-3|date=2000}}</ref> Near the end of his life, Yule regretted this behavior and was able to make amends with Atz Kilcher.<ref name="jewel" /> American actress [[Q'orianka Kilcher]] (born in 1990) is a great-granddaughter of Yule Kilcher.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.adn.com/life/story/5839782p-5757836c.html | title=Another Family Star | accessdate=June 20, 2021| author=Tom Kizzia | date=November 26, 2004 | work=Anchorage Daily News | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206120457/http://www.adn.com/life/story/5839782p-5757836c.html | archivedate=February 6, 2006}}</ref> Yule's youngest daughter, Catkin Kilcher Burton, served for 31 years in the [[United States Marine Corps]] and was awarded the [[Legion of Merit]]. At the end of her military career, she had the rank of [[colonel]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.akhf.org/single-post/2017/09/05/Honoring-our-Board | title=Honoring our Board | work=akhf2017 | accessdate=June 20, 2021 | date=September 6, 2017 | publisher=Alaska Humanities Forum | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030035216/https://www.akhf.org/single-post/2017/09/05/Honoring-our-Board |archivedate=October 30, 2020}}</ref> As of 2012, she worked for the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/dok/video/rousseaus-kinder-ein-reality-check-in-alaskas-wildnis?id=44c6ee66-3179-4495-82a2-ef0eac3f46b4 | title=Rousseaus Kinder – Ein Reality-Check in Alaskas Wildnis | accessdate=June 20, 2021 | date=June 6, 2012 | work=DOK | publisher=Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen |language=German |quote=Nach dreissig Jahren bei den Marines organisiert sie den Wahlkampf für die Republikanische Partei in Alaska (43:56–44:02)}}</ref>
The unconventional lifestyle of the Kilcher family often found media attention. In 1984, the Swiss documentary film ''Die schwierige Schule des einfachen Lebens'' ("The hard school of the simple life") by Alfi Sinniger portrayed Yule Kilcher and his family.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/501233/die-schwierige-schule-des-einfachen-lebens | title=Die schwierige Schule des einfachen Lebens | accessdate=December 1, 2019 | work=Filmdienst |language=German}}</ref> [[Discovery Channel]]'s reality TV series ''[[Alaska: The Last Frontier]]'' also portrays the life of the Kilchers in Alaska and was in its 10th season in 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877010/episodes/?ref_=tt_ov_epl | title=Alaska: The Last Frontier. Episode List | accessdate=June 20, 2021 | work=Internet Movie Database}}</ref> In 2012, [[Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen|Swiss Radio and Television]] (SRF) broadcast the documentary film ''Rousseaus Kinder – Ein Reality-Check in Alaskas Wildnis'' ("Rousseau's children – a reality check in Alaska's wilderness") in its series [[DOK (TV series)|DOK]], making a comparison of [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]]'s philosophy to the lifestyle of the Kilcher family. A review in the newspaper [[Tages-Anzeiger]] criticised it for leaving that promised connection unclear.<ref name="ta" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Signers of the Constitution of Alaska}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kilcher, Yule F.}} [[Category:1913 births]] [[Category:1998 deaths]] [[Category:20th-century members of the Alaska Legislature]] [[Category:Delegates to Alaska's Constitutional Convention]] [[Category:Democratic Party Alaska state senators]] [[Category:Homesteaders in Alaska]] [[Category:People from Homer, Alaska]] [[Category:Swiss emigrants to the United States]]