Memorable Manitobans: Gideon Halcrow (1852-1920)

Boat builder.

Born in the Orkney Islands on 4 February 1852, he came to Canada in 1869 in the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company, working as ship’s carpenter. He worked for forty years at York Factory, Norway House, Cumberland District, Pelican Narrows, and The Pas. He built York boats, many of which remained in commission in the early twentieth century. Later in his career, he was a postmaster and clerk. A fluent Cree speaker, he had a large family, including son Horace Halcrow. He died on 5 May 1920, following an operation, and was buried in the St. Michaels and All Angels Cemetery. He is commemorated by the Halcrow siding on the Wekusko Subdivision of the Hudson Bay Railway.

See also:

Historical Tour - The Pas, Manitoba by Rosemary Malaher
Manitoba History, Number 15, Spring 1988

Sources:

“Aged Hudson’s Bay Factor dies in north,” Winnipeg Tribune, 7 May 1920, page 1.

Pioneers and Prominent People of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Canadian Publicity Company, 1925.

HBC Biographical Sheet for Gideon Halcro[w], Hudson's Bay Company Archives.

We thank Ralph McLean for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 29 November 2020

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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