Michael Dousman (1771–1854) was an American

fur trader The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of a world fur market in the early modern period, furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the mos ...

and

merchant A merchant is a person who trades in commodities produced by other people, especially one who trades with foreign countries. Historically, a merchant is anyone who is involved in business or trade. Merchants have operated for as long as indust ...

with business interests in and around

Mackinac Island Mackinac Island ( ; french: Île Mackinac; oj, Mishimikinaak ᒥᔑᒥᑭᓈᒃ; otw, Michilimackinac) is an island and resort area, covering in land area, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The name of the island in Odawa is Michilimackinac an ...

during the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It bega ...

period.

Biography

Born in 1771 on the British colonial frontier in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

, Michael Dousman became a trapper and fur trader. He gradually moved northwest to the area along the border with Upper Canada by the

Great Lakes The Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes in the mid-east region of North America that connect to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River. There are five lakes ...

. In the years before the War of 1812, he was a prominent trader on Mackinac Island, with connections and interests among the Ojibwe on both sides of the border, and business with British Canadians. He was captured in July 1812 by a British force as part of their operations against Fort Mackinac. Dousman was paroled on condition that he gather all Mackinac Island civilians in a safe place and not provide intelligence to the U.S. Army. Dousman's fulfillment of these conditions resulted in the British and Canadians accepting him as a key ally in their quest to retain control over the

Straits of Mackinac The Straits of Mackinac ( ; french: Détroit de Mackinac) are the short waterways between the U.S. state of Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, traversed by the Mackinac Bridge. The main strait is wide with a maximum depth of , and connects ...

area throughout the war. After the War of 1812, Dousman renewed his loyalty to the United States. He was granted new licenses to trade furs by the government on condition that he affiliate his operations with John Jacob Astor's

American Fur Company The American Fur Company (AFC) was founded in 1808, by John Jacob Astor, a German immigrant to the United States. During the 18th century, furs had become a major commodity in Europe, and North America became a major supplier. Several British co ...

, which had become dominant in this area and ultimately established a monopoly. Dousman became more successful than ever, especially as British Canadians were prohibited from trading on the United States side of the border between the countries, unlike the open conditions before the war. The trader acquired a large farm on the northern third of Mackinac Island. This was developed in the late 19th century as today's Wawashkamo Golf Club. Among the lower-level traders he employed was John Drew, who later became independent. Dousman also pursued other business interests in the area. He owned and operated a sawmill powered by current through the Straits of Mackinac. This structure has been reconstructed in the late 20th century as the centerpiece of

Historic Mill Creek State Park Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park, formerly known as Historic Mill Creek State Park is a state park, nature preserve, and historic site in the United States state of Michigan. It is run by Mackinac State Historic Parks, the operating arm of t ...

Marriage and family

Dousman married and had a family. His son

Hercules L. Dousman Hercules Louis Dousman (August 4, 1800 – September 12, 1868) was a fur trader and real-estate speculator who played a large role in the economic development of frontier Wisconsin. He is often called Wisconsin's first millionaire. Early life a ...

later became a noted pioneer in what was developed as the state of Wisconsin.

Legacy

The schooner ''Michael Dousman'', which sailed on the upper Great Lakes from 1843–1853, was named after the trader.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dousman, Michael 1771 births 1854 deaths 19th-century American businesspeople American fur traders People from Mackinac Island, Michigan