Michael Dousman
Encyclopedia
Michael Dousman was a fur trader and merchant
with business interests in and around Mackinac Island
during the War of 1812
period. He was the father of Wisconsin pioneer Hercules L. Dousman
.
, Michael Dousman was a prominent American fur trader on Mackinac Island during the unsettled years immediately prior to the outbreak of the War of 1812. He had interests on the Canadian side of the border, which he was attempting to protect in July 1812 when he was captured by a British force as part of their operations against Fort Mackinac
. Dousman was paroled on condition that he gather all Mackinac Island civilians in a safe place and not provide intelligence to the U.S. army. Trader Dousman's fulfillment of these conditions led to the British and Canadians accepting him as a key ally in their quest to retain control over the Straits of Mackinac
area throughout the war.
After the War of 1812, Dousman renewed his loyalty to the United States and was granted new licenses to trade furs on condition that he affiliate his operations with the new private-sector power of the western Great Lakes, John Jacob Astor's
American Fur Company
. Dousman's trading operations became more successful than ever. The businessman also acquired a large farm on the northern third of Mackinac Island, the site of today's Wawashkamo Golf Club
.
As a fur trader, Dousman was the employer of fur trader John Drew
. Dousman also pursued other business interests in the area. He owned and operated the Straits of Mackinac water-powered sawmill
that has since been reconstructed as the centerpiece of Historic Mill Creek State Park
.
The schooner Michael Dousman, which sailed on the upper Great Lakes in 1843–1853, was named after the trader.
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
with business interests in and around Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is an island and resort area covering in land area, part of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island was home to a Native American settlement before European...
during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
period. He was the father of Wisconsin pioneer Hercules L. Dousman
Hercules L. Dousman
Hercules Louis Dousman was a trader and real-estate speculator who played a large role in the economic development of Wisconsin. He is often called Wisconsin's first millionaire.-Early life and trading activities:...
.
Biography
Born in 1771 on the North American frontier in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Michael Dousman was a prominent American fur trader on Mackinac Island during the unsettled years immediately prior to the outbreak of the War of 1812. He had interests on the Canadian side of the border, which he was attempting to protect in July 1812 when he was captured by a British force as part of their operations against Fort Mackinac
British Landing
British Landing is a place within Mackinac Island, Michigan and is located on the shore of Mackinac Island, two miles northwest of the island's downtown and harbor. British Landing is the site of a War of 1812 amphibious operation on July 16-17, 1812, by a joint force of the British Army and...
. Dousman was paroled on condition that he gather all Mackinac Island civilians in a safe place and not provide intelligence to the U.S. army. Trader Dousman's fulfillment of these conditions led to the British and Canadians accepting him as a key ally in their quest to retain control over the Straits of Mackinac
Straits of Mackinac
The Straits of Mackinac is the strip of water that connects two of the Great Lakes, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, and separates the Lower Peninsula of Michigan from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is a shipping lane providing passage for raw materials and finished goods, connecting, for...
area throughout the war.
After the War of 1812, Dousman renewed his loyalty to the United States and was granted new licenses to trade furs on condition that he affiliate his operations with the new private-sector power of the western Great Lakes, John Jacob Astor's
John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor , born Johann Jakob Astor, was a German-American business magnate and investor who was the first prominent member of the Astor family and the first multi-millionaire in the United States...
American Fur Company
American Fur Company
The American Fur Company was founded by John Jacob Astor in 1808. The company grew to monopolize the fur trade in the United States by 1830, and became one of the largest businesses in the country. The company was one the first great trusts in American business...
. Dousman's trading operations became more successful than ever. The businessman also acquired a large farm on the northern third of Mackinac Island, the site of today's Wawashkamo Golf Club
Wawashkamo Golf Club
The Wawashkamo Golf Club is a nine-hole links golf course on Mackinac Island in the U.S. state of Michigan. The course was laid out by Alex Smith in 1898, and is as of 2009 the oldest continuously played golf course in Michigan....
.
As a fur trader, Dousman was the employer of fur trader John Drew
John Drew (trader)
John A. Drew was a prominent trader in the Mackinac area in the early 19th century.Early in his career, Drew was an agent under Michael Dousman, trading with the local Ojibwe and Odaawaa. Later, together with Edward Biddle, Drew was part owner of Biddle & Drew. In the 1836 Treaty of Washington,...
. Dousman also pursued other business interests in the area. He owned and operated the Straits of Mackinac water-powered sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
that has since been reconstructed as the centerpiece of Historic Mill Creek State Park
Historic Mill Creek State Park
Historic Mill Creek State Park is a state park, nature preserve, and historic site in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is run by Mackinac State Historic Parks, the operating arm of the Mackinac Island State Park. 625 acres in size, the park is located 5 miles southeast of Mackinaw City, Michigan...
.
The schooner Michael Dousman, which sailed on the upper Great Lakes in 1843–1853, was named after the trader.