Alexander Roderick McLeod
Encyclopedia
Alexander Roderick McLeod (c.
1782 – 11 June 1840) was a fur trader and explorer who began his career with the North West Company
in 1802.
McLeod became a chief trader with the Hudson's Bay Company
after they joined with the NWC in 1821. He was highly active in solidifying the HBC role in the Pacific Northwest and was instrumental in George Back
’s Arctic expedition, as well as in establishing the Siskiyou Trail
between Fort Vancouver
and the Sacramento Valley
of California
.
McLeod was a maverick in the eyes of the HBC but was an important employee who served the company in a variety of settings. He was passed over for a position as a chief factor, something he expected and felt he had earned. A son-in-law who has married his daughter, Sarah
, John Ballenden
, did achieve this position with the company.
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
1782 – 11 June 1840) was a fur trader and explorer who began his career with the North West Company
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
in 1802.
McLeod became a chief trader with the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
after they joined with the NWC in 1821. He was highly active in solidifying the HBC role in the Pacific Northwest and was instrumental in George Back
George Back
Admiral Sir George Back FRS was a British naval officer, explorer of the Canadian Arctic , naturalist and artist.-Career:...
’s Arctic expedition, as well as in establishing the Siskiyou Trail
Siskiyou Trail
The Siskiyou Trail stretched from California's Central Valley to Oregon's Willamette Valley; modern-day Interstate 5 follows this pioneer path...
between Fort Vancouver
Fort Vancouver
Fort Vancouver was a 19th century fur trading outpost along the Columbia River that served as the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company in the company's Columbia District...
and the Sacramento Valley
Sacramento Valley
The Sacramento Valley is the portion of the California Central Valley that lies to the north of the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta in the U.S. state of California. It encompasses all or parts of ten counties.-Geography:...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
McLeod was a maverick in the eyes of the HBC but was an important employee who served the company in a variety of settings. He was passed over for a position as a chief factor, something he expected and felt he had earned. A son-in-law who has married his daughter, Sarah
Sarah McLeod (Ballenden)
Sarah McLeod was born in Rupert's Land.Sarah was one of eight children of chief trader Alexander Roderick McLeod and a mixed-blood mother and grew up at HBC trading posts in the Mackenzie River and Columbia areas...
, John Ballenden
John Ballenden
John Ballenden was one of the Scottish fur traders that the Hudson’s Bay Company recruited to administer that trade in North America....
, did achieve this position with the company.