Jack McQuesten
Encyclopedia
Leroy Napoleon "Jack" McQuesten (1836–1909) was a pioneer in Alaska
and Yukon
as an explorer, trader, and prospector and became known as the "Father of the Yukon." Other nicknames included "Yukon Jack," "Captain Jack," "Golden Rule McQuesten," and "Father of Alaska." He was born in Litchfield
, New Hampshire
in 1836. In 1874, McQuesten established Fort Reliance
, six miles from what would be Dawson City.
Ironically, McQuesten's abandoned trading post was almost on top of what became Dawson City, and when the Klondike gold rush occurred a decade later McQuesten himself arrived too late to stake a claim.
Read more: Leroy Napoleon ‘Jack’ McQuesten Biography - ( 1836 – 1909 ), trader, outfitter - Gold, Trading, Yukon, Reliance, Post, and Fort http://www.jrank.org/history/pages/7609/Leroy-Napoleon-%E2%80%98Jack%E2%80%99-McQuesten.html#ixzz1BVI5PHpT In 1879, McQuesten was hired by the Hudson's Bay Company
to manage their trading post. In 1893, he founded Circle City, Alaska
.
McQuesten was one of the first white men to marry a native Athabascan woman. Her birth name was Satejdenalno; she became Katherine James McQuesten (1860–1921). A tributary of the Yukon River
is named McQuesten River. The area also features the so-called McQuesten Mineral Belt. Yukon Jack, the 100 proof Canadian whiskey and honey based liquor, was named after McQuesten.He was a trader and an outfitter as well.
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
as an explorer, trader, and prospector and became known as the "Father of the Yukon." Other nicknames included "Yukon Jack," "Captain Jack," "Golden Rule McQuesten," and "Father of Alaska." He was born in Litchfield
Litchfield, New Hampshire
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 7,360 people, 2,357 households, and 2,031 families residing in the town. The population density was 487.5 people per square mile . There were 2,389 housing units at an average density of 158.3 per square mile...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
in 1836. In 1874, McQuesten established Fort Reliance
Fort Reliance
Fort Reliance is an abandoned trading post and military fort in the Yukon Territory of Canada. It is located on the east bank of the Yukon River, downstream of the town of Dawson City...
, six miles from what would be Dawson City.
Ironically, McQuesten's abandoned trading post was almost on top of what became Dawson City, and when the Klondike gold rush occurred a decade later McQuesten himself arrived too late to stake a claim.
Read more: Leroy Napoleon ‘Jack’ McQuesten Biography - ( 1836 – 1909 ), trader, outfitter - Gold, Trading, Yukon, Reliance, Post, and Fort http://www.jrank.org/history/pages/7609/Leroy-Napoleon-%E2%80%98Jack%E2%80%99-McQuesten.html#ixzz1BVI5PHpT In 1879, McQuesten was hired by 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...
to manage their trading post. In 1893, he founded Circle City, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
.
McQuesten was one of the first white men to marry a native Athabascan woman. Her birth name was Satejdenalno; she became Katherine James McQuesten (1860–1921). A tributary of the Yukon River
Yukon River
The Yukon River is a major watercourse of northwestern North America. The source of the river is located in British Columbia, Canada. The next portion lies in, and gives its name to Yukon Territory. The lower half of the river lies in the U.S. state of Alaska. The river is long and empties into...
is named McQuesten River. The area also features the so-called McQuesten Mineral Belt. Yukon Jack, the 100 proof Canadian whiskey and honey based liquor, was named after McQuesten.He was a trader and an outfitter as well.