b. 1792(?)
d. 1861-12-22
John Work was born in County Donegal, Ireland. Work joined the Hudson's Bay Company
on 15 June 1814 at Stromness in the Orkney Islands. He served at York Factory and
Severn House before becoming district master in 1818-19. Becoming a first class clerk
in 1821, Work took charge of the island Lake District in 1822-23. In July 1823, he
was assigned to the
Columbia District, serving at Spokane House,
Fort George,
Fort Vancouver, and
Fort Colvile before taking charge of the Snake country brigade in August 1830. On 3 November 1830,
Work was promoted to chief trader; he travelled to California in September 1832 and
returned to
Fort Vancouver in October 1833, transferring to
Fort Simpson in December 1834.
He travelled around the coast, from northern
Vancouver Island to
Haida Gwaii, returning regularly to his base at the fort. Work's health deteriorated in the 1840's,
but he continued with the company, receiving a commission as chief factor in 1846.
Work moved his family to
Fort Victoria in 1849, so his children could receive formal schooling, and he continued to travel
throughout
New Caledonia until August 1852, when he settled at
Fort Victoria, buying 823 acres of land to the north of the town. In 1853,
Douglas appointed Work to the Legislative Council of
Vancouver Island, a position he held until his death.
- 1. William R. Sampson, Work, John, Dictionary of Canadian Biography.
- 2. Ibid.
- 3. Ibid.