McLoughlin, John

   1) (1784-1857)

   Born at Rivière du Loup. Studied medicine in Edinburgh; joined the North West Company; engaged for several years in the Rainy Lake country; in charge of Fort William in 1821, when the North West and Hudson's Bay Companies were amalgamated, and appointed to take charge of the Columbia River department, 1823. Built Fort Vancouver, 1824, and made it the headquarters for the whole territory west of the mountains. Did more than any other man to strengthen the hold of the Company on the fur trade of the Pacific coast. Through misunderstandings over his attitude towards the American settlers on the Columbia, retired from the Company's service, 1846, and spent the rest of his life in Oregon City.

   Index: MS Edward Ellice on, 220; impresses Sir George Simpson, 220; travels in state, 221. D First great Hudson's Bay Company leader in Oregon, 84; his character, 84, 86; takes Douglas under his charge, in North West Company, at Fort William, 93; persuades Douglas to join Hudson's Bay Company, 94; his friendship for Douglas, 94; born, 1784, at Rivière du Loup, 94; grandson of Malcolm Fraser, 94; his early home and training, 94-95; studies medicine in Edinburgh, 95; returns to Canada and enters North West Company, 95; sent to Sault Ste. Marie, 95; there when post burned in War of 1812, 95; marries widow of Alexander Mackay, 95; goes to Fort William, 95-96; at Fort Vancouver, his practically absolute rule, 111; ambitious plans for development of western department, 114; sends expedition to Fraser River by sea, 115; builds Fort Colville, 1825-1826, 116; builds Fort Langley, 1827, 116; builds Fort Simpson, 1831, 116; sends Findlayson, Manson, and Anderson, 1833, to build Fort McLoughlin, 117; sends Douglas to receive Fort Stikine from Russians, 1840, 122; expedition to Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, 126; recognizes agricultural possibilities of Oregon, 128; organizes Puget Sound Agricultural Company, 130; his attitude towards Oregon settlers, 144; forced out of Hudson's Bay Company, 145; Douglas and Ogden associated with him in management of western department, 187; resigns from Hudson's Bay Company, 1846, 187; removes to Oregon City, 187; treatment of, by American settlers, 187; his death, 187; his character contrasted with that of Douglas, 351-353.

   Bib.: Holman, Dr. John McLoughlin: the Father of Oregon; Laut, Conquest of the Great North-West; Bryce, Hudson's Bay Company; Bancroft, History of the North-West Coast.

   2) D Son of Dr. John McLoughlin, accompanies Douglas to Sitka, 122; succeeds Rae at Fort Stikine, 122; shot by Indians, 1842, 122-123.