Bell, Peter Warren Wentworth, Sr.

  • From “Manitoba Historical Society Archives – Memorable Manitobans”: See full biography at: https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/people/bell_pww.shtml
  • Biography:
    • Fur trader. (1831-1901)
    • Among the forty-two unfortunate passengers who perished miserably when the ill-fated steamer Islander went to her doom early in the morning of 15 August 1901 near Juneau, Alaska, was Chief Factor Peter Warren Wentworth Bell of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and for many years a corresponding member of the Historical Society, Winnipeg. Mr. Bell was on his return to Victoria, BC, in company with Dr. John Duncan, MD, of that city – another victim – from a special journey made by them to Dawson City and Stewart River, Yukon Territory. On this occasion they both travelled by Peterboro canoe 700 miles of the distance between Skagway and Dawson, and from there to the Stewart, 90 miles each way, on horseback.
    • Mr. Bell was the eldest son of the late Chief Trader John Bell, a native of Argyllshire, Scotland, who for many years held the charge of Fort Good Hope, Mackenzie River, North West Territory, and was born at Norway House, Rupert’s Land on 21 December 1831. His maternal grandfather was Chief Factor P. W. Dease, of Dease and Simpson, the celebrated Hudson’s Bay Arctic explorers. In due time, like many of his country-born contemporaries, he was sent to school to the old Red River Settlement, and there, like many of them, he acquired a sound practical business education, under the zealous and talented Academy teacher of that time, the late Rev. John McCallum. Like many of them also, Mr. Bell began life as an apprentice clerk in the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company. He entered on his duties in the Spring of 1852, and finally, after a progressively successful career of forty-two years, through the various grades of Clerk, Chief Trader, Factor and Chief Factor, he retired from the service in the autumn of 1893.
  • Great Grandson of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=2130
  • Find A Grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/242776745/peter_warren_wentworth-bell