A Profile on Robert Borland
of Williams Lake
This pioneer family profile is being compiled from public records. Family members have not been contacted. Please forward any comments/corrections or additions to Wanda Story.
1840 - Robert "Bob" Borland was born in Port Hope, Ontario. It is also been listed that he was born in the year 1847.
-Bob traveled across Canada to the west coast.
1862 - Bob came to the Cariboo lured by the gold rush.
1866 - Bob joined the gold rush to Cedar Creek. He wound up mining the grotto on Keithley Creek.
1869- Bob Borland partnered with George Veith and bought a store in Keithley Creek.
1871 - Borland and Veith took a contract to pack supplies for the Hudson Bay Company.
-Borland and Veith bought another store, sawmill and slaughterhouse.
1881 - Robert Borland is listed in the 1881 Census as 41 years old, born in Ontario of Scottish descent. His occupation is listed as a trader and under religion is written "free thinker".
-Borland and Veith operated a mail service to Barkerville. They also had a 64 mule packtrain that delivered supplies to the Hudson Bay Company forts in the north.
1884 - Borland and Veith bought the 150 Mile House hotel, store and ranch and restored it to its former flourishing condition.
1887 - Robert Borland is listed as a trader in Keithley Creek, in the directory for Harvey and Keithley Creek. Robert Borland is also listed in the 150 Mile House directory as "Borland, Robt. - (Veith & Borland), trader". George is also listed in the 150 Mile House directory.
1889 - Bob ran into stand-off situation in Hazelton, while driving one of his pack trains. The local Carrier natives had the new settlers surrounded in the Hudson Bay Company Fort with no way to escape. Bob immediately went to Victoria to the Provincial Legislature and barged in on the proceedings announcing "Are you aware, there is a war going on in Hazelton".
1890- Borland and Veith now owned, two working mines, four general stores, three hotels, several cattle ranches, a packing house and freighting service.
- Robert Borland was one of the first to pre-empt land in the Williams Lake valley, choosing a ranch at the western end of the lake.
1894 - The Comer brothers leased part of the Borland ranch. Robert Borland is listed in the 1894 Voters List for Williams Lake as a Merchant living in 150-Mile House.
1895 - In the Directory of Quesnell Forks, Veith and Borland is listed as a trading company. Robert Borland is listed as a trader and Post Master in the 150 Mile House Directory.
1898- Robert Borland now 58 years old, married 16 year old Chrissie Glassey of Hat Creek on February 23rd in the Quesnel District. (Reg. Number: 1898-09-172869). Chrissie was a "beautiful brunette", and an accomplished musician who often entertained on the grand piano in their home. The couple employed a Chinese cook and had several servants. It is said that Chrissie enjoyed living the "good life". She spent money on beautiful clothes, furs and trips to Vancouver. Bob drove the largest pack train ever, 150 mules, from 150 Mile House to Telegraph Creek.
1899 -Robert Borland and George Veith dissolved their partnership and sold off several of their interests. Bob Borland bought the Pinchbeck's ranch and the house for $17,000 and moved in with his new bride. He ran the Borland Post Office and had a general store. Bob Borland operated the lower Ranch and leased the upper house to Mike Minton.
-It is said the Chrissie used to wash Roberts feet while he relaxed in his favorite rocking chair after a full days work.
1907 - A photo was taken of Robert Borland.
- Bob Borland spent some time in the Yukon.
1912 - Bob Borland sold his ranch to the government which was planning for the new townsite of Williams Lake and the future railway. For a brief time the new town was to be named Borland.
- Bob moved to Keithley, but Chrissie stayed in Williams Lake.
1919 - Bob's partner, George Veith died in Victoria. Walter M. and Ethel Slater operated the Borland ranch and house as a boarding house.
1920 - The Borland Post Office after operating for one year, was officially changed to become the Williams Lake Post Office.
1923 - Photo of the old Borland Ranch in Williams Lake. Bob Borland died on January 22nd in Quesnel in the Cariboo at the age of 83 years. (Reg. Number: 1923-09-326354). He died of "a severe attack of indigestion which had a weakening effect on his heart". He was buried in the cemetery at Keithley Creek. There is also a niece, Mabel Borland, buried at Keithley Creek. Mabel had run a hotel in Keithly Creek.
-Chrissie Borland nee Glassey, re-married.
- Chrissie moved to Ashcroft.
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Last updated 09 July 2002
