John Muir: West Coast Pioneer

by Daryl Ashby

This historical biography - based on the life of British Columbia pioneer John Muir - tells the amazing story of a family from Scotland who came out to Canada in the late 1840s to work as "consignee" labourers for the Hudson's Bay Company. Ashby recreates the story of the Muirs' struggle to develop a place for themselves in the hierarchic colony ruled by James Douglas. With their vision of a country based on democratic principles, the Muirs fought to bring a new way of life to the West Coast. Drawing on the Muir family diaries, Ashby recounts the family's voyage from Scotland, their first years of toil in the coal mines near Fort Rupert on northern Vancouver Island, and their challenge to the Company when they initiated what may have been the first strike in Canada. Muir went on to become a magistrate with his own sense of justice for the working man, and later a Member of the first Legislative Assembly. So fascinating is Muir's personality and so intriguing is his struggle for a democratic way of life that his life's story reads at times like a novel. Ashby is to be commended for vividly bringing back to life this historic figure, a man who deserves to be better known in his own right and for his contribution to the development of the West.

Genres: Biography

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

Reviews

[Nick Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Muir : West coast Pioneer is a must read for anyone interested in the early settlement of Vancouver Island. Daryl Ashby , a natural storyteller , weaves a tale of John Muir and his family’s history from their departure from impoverished Scotland in the 1840’s to a new life on the Wild West coast of Canada. Sailing aboard the Hudson’s Bay barque Harpooner on a perilous 171 day journey, rounding Cape Horn in February in what would be considered starvation conditions the Muir family arrives at Fort Victoria in 1849. Where they find the conditions there not much better than where they had left in Scotland but the promise of land to pioneer on holds them fast.
Read how the Muir family rise to the challenge , building the first steam powered sawmill and develops the largest privately owned fleet of ships in the Northwest.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read as I live close by to where the story takes place. It makes me tired just thinking about all the work and hardships these pioneers endured just to make a life for themselves. Written as as first person perspective also proves interesting.

A contemporary of James Douglas & company who I knew more of but a different side to the story. We take a lot of conviences for granted.

[Daryl Ashby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding first-person account of colonizing the Pacific Northwest, more specifically Vancouver Island in 1849.
Read as John Muir recounts all the obstacles placed in his path either at the hands of the Hudson's Bay Company or nature at its best.
John Muir and his family were the first to settle in the Pacific Northwest outside of the daily control established by James Douglas and the Hudson's Bay Company.
He and his family succeeded again all odds, carving out a commercial niche sufficient to impact the HBC ledgers.
This is an excellent read that allows the reader to view life during the first 35 years of colonization outside of the Muir's own struggles.
A definite reading must.