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Born 23 June 1818 in Redhaven, Scotland, Simon James Dawson emigrated to Canada as a young man and began his career as a civil engineer. In 1857 as a member of a Canadian government expedition he surveyed a line of road from Thunder Bay, Ontario to Fort Garry and in 1858-59 further explored that area. His report greatly stimulated Canadian interest in the West. In 1868 he began construction of a wagon and water route following his earlier survey. It was traversed in 1870 by the Wolseley Expedition (Colonel Garnet Wolseley) sent to preserve order during the first Riel uprising ( Red River Rebellion). Dawson represented Algoma in the Ontario legislature 1875-78 and in the Dominion parliament 1878-91. He died 30 October 1902 Ottawa, Ontario. Source: Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board plaque located near Hillcrest Park, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and other public sources.
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