John Beargrease

Who was John Beargrease?

John Beargrease, born 1858 as the son of a minor Anishinaabe chief by the name of Makwabimidem, is best remembered as the winter mail carrier between Two Harbors, Minnesota and Grand Marais, Minnesota during the last two decades of the nineteenth century. John used a row boat and a dog sled to deliver the mail. His legendary dog sled runs are remembered and celebrated in the annual 411-mile John Beargrease Dog Sled Race between Duluth and Grand Portage, Minnesota. John died at his home in Beaver Bay, Minnesota in 1910.