Hargrave, James

James Hargrave was at Medicine Hat in 1883. He was born in 1846 at Beechridge, Quebec and died in 1935 at Medicine Hat. He married Alexandra Helen Sissons, in 1935 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. She was born in 1853, at Howard, Ontario and died in 1932 at Medicine Hat. They had eight children. James was a very capable worker for the Hudson’s Bay and gained much business experience as well as respect for the Indians. Due to a depressed economy of the time, he left his position to go to Medicine Hat where he and his brother-in-law Dan Sissons, started a business to sell general merchandise and trade with the Indians. He established various successful enterprises at Medicine Hat. His wife was equally successful in managing the home and supporting her husband and family.

Special Collections — Occasional Paper No.8

32. HARGRAVE, Joseph James. Red River. 1871.

Red River. By Joseph James Hargrave, F.R.G.S. Montreal: Printed For The Author By John Lovell. 1871.

References: Peel 328; Story p. 344.

Hargrave (1841-1894) was born at York Factory, the son of James Hargrave, whose letters appear in the Champlain Society’s publications. Joining the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1841, Joseph became secretary to his uncle, William MacTavish, governor of Assiniboia in Red River. From 1869 to 1884, Hargrave was active in the fur trade, coming to Fort Edmonton in 1884. He retired in 1889 and died in Montreal. This work is an account of events leading to the Red River Rebellion, based on the letters of Hargrave, Senior. There is also an account of the difficulties encountered in travelling from England to the West.