| ROWAND, John |
John Rowand was born in Montreal in 1789. In 1803 he began to work as an
apprentice for the North West Company. By 1821 he was Chief Trader at Rocky
Mountain House. He pioneered the Fort Assiniboine - Fort Edmonton Trail
and he was appointed, by Governor George Simpson, as Chief Factor of the
Saskatchewan District at Fort Edmonton from 1826 until 1854 when he died.
Rowand died on a trip to Fort Pitt when he tried to break up a brawl between
his boatmen. He was buried at Fort Pitt until Governor Simpson learned
of his wish to be buried in Montreal. His remained were exhumed, rendered
of all flesh, packaged and taken to Governor Simpson at Norway House where
he took charge of the package. Rowands remains were repacked at the Red
River Settlement and sent on to York Factory where they were placed on
a ship for England. Four years after his death, in 1858, he was finally
buried in the Mount Royal Cemetery in Montreal.
- Source - Heritage Hunter's Guide to Alberta Museums by Roberta Hursey
- Source - Alberta History Along the Highway by Ted Stone
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