L.N. "Jack" McQuesten - Dawson, Yukon Territory
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N 64° 03.555 W 139° 26.373
7W E 576157 N 7104549
This plaque, in tribute to Jack McQuesten, is located on the dike, across from Church Street and Saint-Paul's Church. The plaque is mounted on a big boulder on which another plaque is located. There are benches in proximity to the plaque.
Waymark Code: WM12Q4W
Location: Yukon Territory, Canada
Date Posted: 06/30/2020
Views: 4
L.N. "Jack" McQuesten
Father of the Yukon
Born Litchfield, New Hampshire, July 9, 1836
Yukon years: 1873-1898
Leroy Napoleon "Jack" McQuesten arrived in the Yukon in 1873. On august 20, 1874, he established Fort Reliance near Dawson to trade with the local Han. Through his steam boats and stores, Jack supplied prospectors for nearly 25 years, setting the stage for the Klondike Gold Rush. His courage, generous credit policy and concern for his fellow man earned him the title: Golden Rule McQuesten, Father of Alaska and Father of the Yukon.
In 1875 Jack partnered with Arthur Harper and Alfred Mayo as agents for the Alaska Commercial Company. Jack captained the company steamer Yukon, the first on the Upper Yukon River, and his own steamer, New Racket. He also established posts at Fort Nelson, Forty Mile and Circle City. He has been honoured in the Yukon with the names: McQuesten River, McQuesten Lake, McQuesten Airstrip, McQuesten Mineral Belt, McQuesten Lodge and roads in Faro, Mayo and Whitehorse.
On December 1, 1894, at Forty Mile, he was elected first president of the Yukon Order of Pioneers, a fraternal organization. Lodges remained active in Dawson City and Whitehorse.
On July 20, 1878 Jack married Satejdenalno whom he called Kate. They were first wed in a native ceremony and later by an Anglican missionary. Eleven children were born to them.
This plaque was dedicated August 11, 2007 by the family and friends of Jack and Kate McQuesten: grandson, Walter McQuesten, family members Jim and Beth McQuesten, Clan Uisdean, USA, Inc.
Jane Lind and John Eidt, Bob and Mary Majni, Ed and Star Jones and the Yukon Order of Pioneer.
Website with more information on either the memorial or the person(s) it is dedicated to: [Web Link]
Location: Flower Garden, Dawson Dike, across from Church Street
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