b. 1887 — Jasper, Alberta ?

Adolphus Moberly, a Métis, was guide for Arthur Philemon Coleman [1852–1939] on the geology professor’s 1908 attempt to climb Mount Robson. “Adolphus was the most typical and efficient savage I ever encountered,” Coleman wrote, “a striking figure, of powerful physique and tireless muscles, and thoroughly master of everything necessary for the hunter in the mountains. Mounted erect on his horse, with gay clothing and trappings, he was the ideal centaur.” [2] Moberly led Coleman’s party up the Moose River valley, and left the group after pointing out the way to Robson Pass. Coleman named Adolphus Lake after Moberly.

Adolphus Moberly was son of Ewan Moberly and grandson of the Iroquois Suzanne Cardinal (or Kwarakwante) and Hudson’s Bay Company clerk Henry John Moberly [1835–1931], who served at Jasper House from 1858 to 1861.[3]

Henry Moberly’s Métis offspring John, Ewan, and grandsons Adolphus and William (Bill) were four of the seven families that were affected by the creation of the “Jasper Forest Park.” An Order in Council was passed in September 1907 by the Canadian Federal Government to create this national park.[4] An initial payment was made to the squatters in February, 1910, when the agreement was finalized, although the final payments were not made until some time later. An Order in Council of April 151 1910, lists the following compensatory payments which were made: Ewan Moberly $1670, William Moberly $ 175, Adolphus Moberly $ 180, John Moberly $1000, Isadore Findlay $ 800, Adam Joachim $1200. [5]

James Shand Harvey [1880–1968], who spent decades as a guide and packer in the area around Jasper, Yellowhead Pass and Tête Jaune Cache, was interviewed in 1967: “On my side of the river (Athabasca) was Ewan Moberly, Adam Joachim, and Dolphus, Ewan’s son. Adolphus built on the west side of Snaring. He had a little shack in there on the right hand side as you go to Swift’s. That was Dolphus.”[6] The Snaring River enters the Athabasca about 20km north of Jasper.

Adolphus’s family was among the six or seven Métis families who were forced to leave the Jasper area after the establishment of Jasper Forest Park in 1907. “The fall of 1909 there was Adam Joachim, Tommy Groat, William, Adolphus, if I remember rightly where were four men came from Jasper House,” recalled James Shand Harvey [1880–1968]. “William and Adolphus Moberly, and there was Tommy Groat, he was just going to get married, no, he was married then, to his wife Clarice (Clarice Moberly, Ewan’s daughter), and Adam Joachim. Old Ewan and John, they both stayed on the place, figured they were too old to work, the younger fellows could build the houses. They put the houses up and some time before New Year they moved in. They stayed there at Rat Lake. And the only one of the bunch that did not go to Grande Cache was Isadore Finley.” [7]