[Illustration: _Mr. French in the B.C. District Office_]
C. H. French, District Manager of the Company's British Columbia fur
trade district, is a man whose experience in the service during 33
years, from Lake Winnipeg to the Pacific Coast and north to Alaska, has
excellently fitted him to narrate countless stories of brave adventure
and stern duty under the H.B.C. flag in the great Northwest.
Mr. French, though 53, carries his years lightly. True, his hair is
grizzled; upon his face is delineated the tale of dangers met and
hardships overcome. Yet one would not place his age at over 45, if even
that. Seasoned as an oak, with hard and healthful living in a climate
which eliminates all but the fittest, Mr. French, now in lovely
Victoria, may know at least a measure of the relaxation and joy of
living such as is seldom granted the fur trader. The "spring" in his
step and the active interest he takes in the life and development of
Vancouver Island identify in him a youthful spirit which well might be
envied by many men under thirty.
Mr. French was born in Markham township, twelve miles north of Toronto,
Ontario, on 23rd July, 1867.
He served a full apprenticeship at printing. Then he acquired a fair
knowledge of bread-baking, fishing and sailing, which experience he says
stood him in good stead after entering the service.
In 1887 Mr. French joined H.B.C. in the Lake Winnipeg District, doing
work of various kinds, one job being the sailing of the boat "Beaver"
under Mr. W. J. McLean at Lower Fort Garry, and afterwards Mr. Flett at
Fort Alexander.
During this period he brought the body of Chief Factor Belanger in from
the lake and delivered it at the Selkirk Roman Catholic Church. The
Chief Factor was drowned at Norway House.
Fur Trade Commissioner Wrigley went out of office and while his
successor, Mr. C. C. Chipman, was Commissioner, he had the able support
of such men as William Clark. It was with William Clark that Mr. French
engaged to go to New Caledonia District, British Columbia (March, 1894)
to break up a ring that was pilfering merchandise from the Babine, B.C.,
warehouse. This was successfully accomplished, and Mr. French was given
charge of Babine Post, remaining there until 1901, when installed as fur
buyer at Victoria, under Mr. James Thomson. He was in charge of that
work until February, 1914, when he was made District Manager for British
Columbia.