Background
Donald McKenzie was born on June 15, 1783, in Scotland. Hу was a brother of Roderic Mackenzie of the North West Company, and a cousin of Alexander Mackenzie, the explorer.
(The Fur Hunters of the Far West)
The Fur Hunters of the Far West
https://www.amazon.com/Fur-Hunter-Far-West/dp/B00I60HH7A?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00I60HH7A
Donald McKenzie was born on June 15, 1783, in Scotland. Hу was a brother of Roderic Mackenzie of the North West Company, and a cousin of Alexander Mackenzie, the explorer.
Mackenzie was educated for the ministry, but instead of entering that profession went to Canada and joined the North West Company.
On June 23, 1810, after ten years' experience, Mackenzie was engaged by John Jacob Astor to be one of his partners in the Pacific Fur Company. With Wilson P. Hunt, he led a band of adventurers by the overland route to the mouth of the Columbia River.
Mackenzie with his group arrived at Fort Astoria January 18, 1812. He later became the head of a large party which engaged in hunting and trapping. His journeys took him to the rivers Willamette, Columbia, and also the Snake, where he established a post. He left Astoria again in March 1813, and in June returned with 140 packs of furs from Okanagan post and Spokane River.
While carrying supplies to the interior that fall he was robbed by Indians. Returning to Astoria, he occupied himself storing salmon until his party learned of the war with Great Britain. Concluding that Astoria would be captured and goods confiscated, he and his partners there sold out to the North West Company the following spring.
On April 14, 1814, Mackenzie set out for New York, where he remained for some time seeking reemployment by Astor. Failing to obtain it, he returned to Canada and again entered the service of the North West Company. In 1816 he was on the Columbia River, spending his time at Fort George and Fort William, and Spokane House. He rendered valuable service to his company in developing the rich trade of southern Idaho.
His brigade of 1817, was the first to report a year without casualties, and the quantity of furs obtained was considerable. Mackenzie was retained when the Hudson's Bay and North West Companies consolidated, and the following year, 1822, established Chesterfield House. In 1824, he was made chief factor at Fort Garry, on the Red River of the North, and the same year was appointed councilor of the governors.
Soon thereafter, he was made governor of Red River Colony, the highest post in the country next to the governor-in-chief, which vast province he ruled judiciously and with kindness. To him is due credit for the peace and progress which prevailed during the following eight years. He retired in August 1833 and took his family to Mayville, New York, where he had an estate. There he lived until his death on January 20, 1851.
Mackenzie was Governor of the Red River Colony from 1821 to 1834. He gave advice on where the international boundary should be established for Oregon, and also may have planted the seeds that led to the purchase of Alaska from Russia. The McKenzie Pass and the McKenzie River in Oregon are named for him.
(The Fur Hunters of the Far West)
Donald Mackenzie was eminently fitted, both physically and mentally, for life in the wilderness. His knowledge of the Indians was remarkably keen and accurate, and his influence over them was great. His boldness and prompt decision, in times of danger, helped to awe and conquer them. His ways and accomplishments astonished his associates; he weighed over 300 pounds, but was so active that he was called "perpetual motion. "
In August 1825, at Fort Garry, Mackenzie married Adelgonde Humbert-Droze, by whom he had thirteen children.
1737 - 1789
6 June 1806 - 6 May 1882
9 July 1827 - 10 October 1925
2 January 1847 - 17 February 1852
27 February 1829 - 6 November 1902
14 November 1837 - 11 July 1917
24 June 1843 - 27 February 1900
29 July 1834 - 22 January 1896
25 September 1839 - 24 July 1910
25 August 1830 - 3 August 1908
16 January 1836 - 22 August 1889
26 March 1849 - 6 December 1886
25 December 1831 - 10 June 1914
16 June 1841 - 27 August 1917
