FREDERICK JOHN GEORGE FISCHER (1859-1930)
Frederick John George (Fred) FISCHER was born Oct 14, 1859, in Toronto. He was educated at the High School, Quebec City. ** MORE ABOUT FRED FISCHER in MHS
Canadian Confederation
On July 1, 1867 the British colonies in North America were united under the British North American Act to become the Dominion of Canada. William McDOUGALL(1822-1905) became the Minister of Public Works, and he began negotiations to acquire Rupert’s Land from the HBC. Surveyors were sent west to prepare the way for an expected influx of settlers to the Red River region.
On Oct 11, 1869, Louis RIEL (1844-1885) placed his foot on the surveyors’ chain to tell them their work was finished. The historic Red River Rebellion followed; ending in 1870 at which time Manitoba became the fifth province of Canada.
In 1871, Wemyss SIMPSON (1824-1894) was appointed as Canada’s Commissioner and General Indian Agent for the Northwest, to negotiate treaties with the Indians of the region.
In 1877 the first session of the Government was held at Livingstone - Fort Pelly (SK) was where the temporary seat of Government was located pending the erection of Government House at Battleford. On 14 Nov. 1878 John Stoughton DENNIS (1820-1885) became the Deputy Minister of the Interior under MACDONALD. He was Canada’s first Surveyor-General.
Fred FISCHER arrives in the Northwest
In 1878 Fred FISCHER came to Manitoba as a surveyor.
In 1879 (and afterwards at different periods) Fred was in the Indian Department (DIA).
In 1882, Chief KEY, together with 12 families from the Shoal River IR relocated to Fort Pelly. Under the leadership of Headman John BEARDY, the group resident at Shoal River petitioned the Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) in 1882, 1884, and 1885 for their own reserve at that location, stating that they had no interest in relocating to a new reserve at Pelly and repudiating the leadership of Chief ‘The Key’.
In July of 1882, the headquarters of the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) was transferred from Fort Qu'Appelle to Regina.
Marriage to Sarah STEVENSON
In 1882 Fred married Sarah STEVENSON at Fort Pelly, daughter of Mary MAWAIS and “Swampy” John STEVENSON (1840-1932). ** MORE ABOUT SWAMPY JOHN STEVENSON
The Key Indian Reserve was located near Fort Pelly
By 1884 construction of the CPR transcontinental railroad had reached Qu’Appelle which became the major debarkation and distribution centre for the North West Territories.
The Norwest Rebellion – The Battle at Batoche
The first hostilities of the historic North West Rebellion led by Louis RIEL (1844-1885) began in the spring of 1885 with the Battle at Duck Lake where the Métis leader Gabriel DUMONT (1837-1906) and his men defeated Commander Lief CROZIER (1846-1901) of the NWMP who were based at Battleford.
In April of 1885, General Frederick Dobson MIDDLETON (1825-1898) and his soldiers arrived by rail at Qu’Appelle on their way to quell the Métis uprising.
Fred FISCHER enlisted with Middleton’s Force and served in the Transport Service during the Rebellion.
On April 6, 1885, MIDDLETON and his troops departed for Batoche and by mid May they had defeated the Métis in the Battle at Batoche. Louis RIEL was arrested (convicted and hung in Regina) and Gabriel DUMONT fled to the USA.
Fort Pelly 1887
1888-1890
In 1888 Fred FISCHER returned to the service of the DIA, working as a Relieving Agent, Interpreter and Teamster. On Jan 8, 1889 he established the first Post Office at Fort Pelly in the Mackenzie District of Saskatchewan. In 1890 he left Fort Pelly.
In the 1891 Census Fred (age 32) and Sarah (age 24) were enumerated in the Broadveiw District, Assiniboia East. Although at this time they had been married for about nine years, there were no children recorded with them.
We know from census records that on Jan 2, 1895, son Alfred or Fred Jr. was born. There was also apparently a daughter named Laura FISCHER (birth date unknown) who was “raised on a Reserve and went to school in Qu’Appelle”, according to Brenda (on the Forum).
On Jul 25, 1930 Frederick FISCHER died at The Pas, age 71.
** The foregoing is just a preliminary sketch to present a basis for discussion about Fred FISCHER and his descendants. When time permits, I hope to do further research in order to present a more comprehensive review.
Please post comments & queries at this link: FORUM DISCUSSING the FREDERICK FISCHER FAMILY
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