John Molson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Molson
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| Born | 28 December 1763 Moulton, Lincolnshire, England
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| Died | 11 January 1836 (aged 72) |
| Resting place | Mount Royal Cemetery |
| Nationality | British-Canadian |
| Occupation | Brewer |
John Molson (born December 28, 1763 – died January 11, 1836) was a very important businessman and brewer. He was born in England but moved to Quebec, which was then called Lower Canada. He started the famous Molson Brewery, which is still around today!
But John Molson did much more than just brew beer. He also built Canada's first steamship and its first public railway. He was even the president of the Bank of Montreal. Plus, he helped create the Montreal General Hospital, a hotel, and a theatre in Montreal. The Molson family he started is still very well-known in Canada.
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John Molson's Early Life
John Molson was born in 1763 in a small town called Moulton, England. When he was young, both his parents passed away. This meant he became an orphan at just eight years old.
He lived with different people who looked after him and his money. When he was 18, in 1782, John Molson decided to move to Quebec. The journey was quite an adventure, as his first ship started leaking!
Starting a Business in Quebec
In 1783, John Molson moved to Montreal. He started living with a man named Thomas Loid, who had just begun making beer. Molson quickly became a partner in the brewery.
By January 1785, just after his 21st birthday, John Molson took over the brewery completely. He was very dedicated to his work, often staying up late. He even went back to England briefly to learn more about brewing.
When he returned, many new people were moving to Quebec. This meant more customers for his beer! John Molson worked hard and his business grew quickly. He hired an apprentice and a housemaid, Sarah Insley Vaughan, who he later married in 1801.
John Molson's beer became very popular. People from all parts of Montreal society enjoyed it. He also met many important businessmen at church, like fur trader James McGill.
Building a Business Empire
Between 1788 and 1800, Molson's brewery became one of the biggest businesses in Lower Canada. By 1791, he was selling a huge amount of beer. During these years, John and Sarah had four children: John Junior, Thomas, and William.
Around 1800, Molson started using imported bottles for his beer. His small brewery had grown ten times bigger! This success gave him enough money to invest in new technology for his business.
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Canada's First Steamships
John Molson was very interested in new inventions. After seeing a steamship in the United States, he wanted to build one for Canada. In 1809, he teamed up with others to build the Accommodation. This was the first steamship to travel on the Saint Lawrence River!
Building the Accommodation was a big step, even though it cost a lot of money at first. Molson was determined to make his steamship business successful. He bought new engines from England and used parts of the Accommodation to build an even better ship called the Swiftsure. This ship was known for its speed and beauty.
The Swiftsure helped Molson's businesses by providing quick ways to transport goods and money. He built three more steamships: the Malsham (1814), the Lady Sherbrooke (1816), and the New Swiftsure (1817).
During the War of 1812, Molson's business continued to grow. His ship, the Swiftsure, was even rented by the British Army. John Molson himself joined the local militia and became a captain. He served for about a year before resigning.
In 1815, Molson was elected to the local government to represent Montreal East. He promised to help build a new dock for ships. Molson Brewery is now the second oldest company in all of Canada!
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A Leader in Banking
As John Molson became busier, his three sons started helping more with the family businesses. John Junior managed the steamships, Thomas worked on international sales, and William took charge of the brewery.
In 1816, Molson built a fancy hotel called the Mansion House Hotel. It was a luxury hotel with Montreal's first library, boat rides, and delicious dinners.
In 1817, a group of businessmen started the Montreal Bank. John Molson was careful at first, but he soon joined them. By 1822, the bank became fully Canadian-owned and changed its name to the Bank of Montreal. John Molson was the president of this important bank from 1826 to 1834.
Helping the Community: A New Hospital
In 1819, John Molson became sick for a short time. He noticed that Montreal's only hospital was very small. It only had 30 beds!
Molson suggested building a much larger hospital with 200 beds. Even though the government didn't approve his request, many people supported the idea. Donations poured in, and soon a new hospital, the Montreal General Hospital, was opened.
Expanding into New Markets
In 1821, the Mansion House Hotel caught fire. But John Molson didn't give up! He planned to build an even grander hotel.
While his sons managed the businesses in Canada, Thomas Molson worked on selling their products in England. He successfully introduced Molson's beer to the international market.
The Molson family also started Canada's first large-scale distillery. This meant they were making spirits like whisky. For many years, the Molson company was the biggest distiller in Canada. They sold their products wholesale, meaning in large quantities.
Around 1828, a movement called the temperance movement began in Canada. People in this movement wanted to stop the sale and use of strong alcoholic drinks.
Building a Theatre
By 1825, Molson's hotel was completely rebuilt and renamed the British American Hotel. Right next to it, Molson built a theatre. In November, the Theatre Royal was finished. It was the first theatre in Montreal!
The Theatre Royal could hold 1,000 guests. It showed plays by famous writers like Shakespeare and also hosted circuses and concerts. Even famous actors like Edmund Kean performed there. The theatre was eventually taken down in 1844 to make way for a market.
John Molson continued to expand his businesses. He bought many more steamships and created the St Lawrence Steamboat Company. His fleet of ships became larger than all the ships operating in the United States!
In 1829, John Molson's wife, Sarah, passed away. He sold their home and continued with his work. Even at 67 years old, he wasn't thinking about retirement. One of his biggest projects was still ahead.
Canada's First Railway
Since 1825, John Molson had been following reports about the first railways being built in England. He was very interested in bringing this new technology to Canada.
In 1832, Molson's request to build a railroad was approved. The Champlain and St Lawrence Railroad was designed to connect the St Lawrence River to the Hudson River in the United States. This would make travel from Montreal to New York much faster. It was the very first railway ever built in Canada!
John Molson became the railway's biggest investor. Construction began in 1835. Sadly, John Molson passed away before he could see his dream railway officially open. The railway was completed and opened with a big ceremony on July 21, 1836.
John Molson was also appointed to the Legislative Council of Lower Canada, which was a part of the government. He was seen as a powerful English businessman.
A Leader in Freemasonry
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John Molson was also a leader in the Freemasons, a social and charitable organization. He was appointed as the head of the Montreal lodge in 1826 and served until 1833.
John Molson's Death and Lasting Impact
John Molson caught a high fever in December 1835. He wrote his will on January 11, 1836, and passed away that same day. He was buried in a family tomb at Mount Royal Cemetery.
John Molson left behind an amazing legacy. He started a brewery that is still a major company today, the Molson Coors Brewing Company. He also helped build Canada's first steamship and its first public railway. He was a true pioneer who helped shape early Canada.
See also
- John Carling
- John Labatt
- William Dow
- John Molson School of Business
- Molson family
Images for kids
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John Molson's funeral monument in Mount Royal Cemetery
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