Dufferin Historical Museum

Carman, Manitoba

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John Francis Grant’s Journey

John Francis Grant was a Métis rancher and entrepreneur, who was born on January 7, 1831 at Fort Edmonton. Shortly after his birth, Grant’s mother (Marie Ann Breland) died. Consequently, he and his siblings were sent to Quebec to be raised by their grandmother and aunt. When he was fourteen, he and his brother (Richard) left Quebec and journeyed to Fort Hall, Idaho, which is where their father (Richard Grant) was residing. After learning how to hunt and trap, Grant travelled to Fort Vancouver so he could learn the fur trade business. Once he returned to Fort Hall, Grant and his father established a trading business.

When Grant was 30 (1861), he built a ranch site at Cottonwood (Deer Lodge Valley, Montana) and he recruited many Métis trading families to join him at his ranch. During the winter months, Grant traded with neighboring Shoshone, Bannock, Blackfoot, and Flathead Indians. In the spring and summer months, Grant went up the Oregon Trail to trade cattle with the immigrants. As a result of his trading prosperity, Grant was able to establish several businesses, such as a saloon, a store, and a blacksmith shop.

Grant decided to make Manitoba his home in 1867. He bought real estate in Winnipeg and he bought land for a ranch in the Parish of St. Charles at Riviére aux Ilets-des-bois (near Carman, Manitoba). For his ranch, he bought several horses, wagons, and carts. Just as he had done in Montana, he surrounded himself with Métis employees and his closest friends and family.
In 1892, Grant moved to Bittern Lake, Alberta. He lived here for eight years and then he journeyed to Grande Prairie where he re-entered the fur trade. This move did not prove to be successful so Grant moved to Athabasca Landing and then to Deep Creek.

Shortly after, Grant became a spokesman for the children of the Manitoba Métis who had been disqualified from taking scrip because their parents had taken scrip earlier. His petition, however, proved to be unsuccessful.

By 1907, Grant was quite ill and he and his wife moved to Edmonton. He died there on May first of that year.

Grant had several children during the course of his life. There are still descendants of Grant’s who reside in Carman.

The Dufferin Historical Museum celebrates the life and times of John Francis Grant by dedicating a portion of the museum to this important historical figure. The display includes information and literature on Grant. Photos of Grant are also included in the display.

 

Written by Rachael Smith

Dufferin Historical Museum

Guest’s Comments

“It was so nice to meet you guys and get a chance to see all of your displays. I want to again say how much we appreciated you opening the museum and taking time out of your days for us. We went over to the cemetery and they helped us find the grave sites which was a thrill as well. Thank you again for your hospitality and the gift bag.”
Howard Thomson
Hemenway Family

"Nice to meet you and have a personalized tour of the Museum .... your organization has done a wonderful job of displaying the artifacts and honoring the families in the area. Glad that you were able to use some of the articles that I had available.
The cookbook is really well done. I enjoyed reading and reminiscing - lots of great recipes and 'tidbits'. 
"Big Bouquet" to all involved.

Linda, Morden, MB"

"A Great Museum I visited the Dufferin Historical Museum on Saturday, June 2 for the celebration of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee.
I have not visited the museum for some time and I was greatly impressed by the changes that have taken place. The people who have been giving their time and expertise to the arrangement and displaying of the many artifacts, as well as the people who have worked with the flowers and plants around the grounds, are to be greatly commended. There is more work and time spent on these jobs than most people realize. The tea was probably a first and in my opinion a good idea. It was overall a great way to celebrate the event. A visit to our museum is certainly a great way to spend an hour or two and well worth it."

Keith Barker, Carman Past Board Member

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Contact

Dufferin Historical Museum
44 Kings Park Road
Carman Manitoba R0G 0J0

Phone:
Museum - 204-745-3597

Trish Aubin – 204-745-7353
Caroll McGill – 204-745-6674
The GPS coordinates:
49° 30.178 N 098° 00.621 W

Admisions

Adult: $5.00
Student: $3.00
Under 5: Free

Memberships:

Single: $10.00
Family: $25.00 (2 adults/2 students)

Hours of Operation

July and August
Tues - Sat 10:00 - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 to 5:00 pm

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