Moïse “Moses” Mercier
Moïse Mercier was born in Montreal, Quebec. In 1868, he was prospecting in California before joining his brother François in a trading expedition to Alaska with the Pioneer Company of San Francisco.1) Moses was stationed at Noukelakayet, near the mouth of the Tanana River, in July 1869 when the steamer Yukon, owned by Parrott and Company stopped with Captain Raymond and his party.2) Captain Charles P. Raymond of the United States Engineers and his expedition was travelling on the Yukon River to determine if Fort Yukon was on British or American soil. Below the mouth of the Tanana River, Raymond met two French Canadian traders, Robert and Moses, friends of Michael Laberge. They were hired by the superintendent of Parrott and Company.3) Mercier was hired as a fur trader by Frederick Smith, superintendent of Parrott, and joined the company enroute to Fort Yukon.4)
Raymond raised an American flag when he determined that Fort Yukon was on American soil. When Raymond and his party left Fort Yukon in August, Mr. Westdahl and Moses Mercier were left in charge of the trading station.5) Moses Mercier and Frederick Westdahl remained in charge of the post at Fort Yukon after the Hudson's Bay Company was evicted. Mercier remained there as chief trader until 1874, when he returned to Quebec.6)
In 1875, Moïse became the mayor of Saint-Veronique de Turgeon, north of Montreal. He returned to Montreal in 1885 and received a medal for his participation in the fur trade, an honorary title from France for his geographic contributions, and recognition from the Vatican for his support of the Catholic Church in the north.7)
Moïse Mercer is often confused with his brother François because of the French abbreviation “M.” for “Monsieur”.8)