James Todd (Canadian Settler) - Starting Out in North America

Starting Out in North America

James Todd was originally from England. In 1849 he went to California for the gold rush. He does not appear to have struck it rich in California, but he made his living as a packer transporting supplies for the miners. In 1861 Todd began to raise horses and had built up a small herd. His small herd, however, was stolen near Sacramento, California, and he tracked the thieves through Oregon and Washington, and finally got his horses back near Hope, British Columbia. He stayed in British Columbia and worked as a packer on the Brigade Trail for the Hudson's Bay Company. After that, he was quite successful prospecting for gold at Scotch Creek. Todd purchased and very quickly sold again land in Pritchard and on the north side of the South Thompson River (part of the Harper Ranch).