John Molson was a brewer who lived in colonial Quebec, it eventually became Lower Canada. He is credited with founding the Molson Brewery, building the first public railway as well as the first steamship in Canada, and more. Molson founded a family dynasty that remains a powerful financial force in Canada.
Early Years
In 1763, John Molson was born in Lincolnshire, England. His father was named John Molson senior. His mother’s name was Mary Elsdale. In 1782, Molson was 18 and decided to immigrate to Quebec. Thomas Loid was a Canadian man who had started brewing beer and Molson moved in with him. The two soon became partners in the brewery. At the age of 21, Molson took over the brewery. Many people were immigrating to Quebec at this time and there was a huge demand for beer. Molson hired an apprentice named Christopher Cook. He also hired a housemaid named Sarah Insley. In April 1801, Molson married Insley. The couple had three children.
Growth of Brewery
Molson’s brewery grew quickly from 1788 to 1800. It became one of the largest breweries in all of Canada. By the time the 19th century had come, Molson’s small brewery had increased in size tenfold. Molson used his financial gains to purchase new technology and improve his business.
Steamship Entrepreneur
When Molson saw Robert Fulton’s steamship travel down the Hudson River, he thought about purchasing one. Milton teamed up with John Bruce and John Jackson to build a steamship. The steamship was ready for service in 1809. After some significant trial and error, the trio built a better steamship called Swiftsure. It provided a ready cash business. The operation of the steamship could only occur during certain months of the year. The rest of the time, Molson was able to dedicate himself to his brewery. This resulted in a harmonious exchange between the two business ventures.
Mansion House Hotel
In 1816, Molson built the Mansion House Hotel. It was a hotel designed for only those guests who were able to afford luxury. Mansion House Hotel was the first hotel in Canada to offer its guests certain amenities. These included six-course dinners, a library, luxuriously furnished rooms, boat rides on the river, and more.
Hospital Builder
When Molson was sick during 1819, he noticed Montreal only had one hospital. It only had 30 beds. Molson suggested to the city’s assembly that a new 200-bed hospital be established. There was no government support for this idea but there was plenty of private support. With a successful marketing campaign, the donations poured in for the new hospital. In a few months, the Montreal General Hospital was soon open.
First Canadian Railway
Molson became interested in the first railways. In 1825, they were being constructed around England. Molson contacted the person in charge of England’s railroad project. His name was Jason pierce. Molson made a formal request for the construction of a railroad system to the local Montreal government. His proposal was accepted. Molson is responsible for the first railroad ever constructed in Canada.
In 1835, Molson caught a fever at a time when a cholera epidemic began to subside. On January 11, 1836, he wrote his will. Later that day he died. His body was placed in Mount Royal Cemetery in his family’s mausoleum. The Molson Coors Brewing Company remains the dominant beer maker in Canada.
