Joseph Montferrand

Who was Joseph Montferrand?

Joseph "Jos" Montferrand was a French-Canadian logger, strong man and hero of the working man, who was the inspiration for the legendary Ottawa Valley figure Big Joe Mufferaw.

Joseph Montferrand, dit Favre was born in the St. Lawrence district of Montreal in 1802. The family men were known for their strength and powerful build. Joe was 6 foot 4 inches tall with blue eyes and fair hair. Although he was mild in manner and appearance, he could more than hold his own in a street fight. He successfully challenged several famed boxers during his youth. He came to fame as a result of a challenge issued at a boxing match in the Champ de Mars, Montreal. Two English-speaking boxers had just fought for the championship. The organizers then asked if there was anyone in the crowd who wished to challenge the champion of Canada. The sixteen-year-old Montferrand stepped into the ring and with one punch, felled the champion. News of this surprising event spread quickly.

At the age of 21, he joined the Hudson's Bay Company as a voyageur. In 1827, he began work as a logger on the Rivière du Nord in Lower Canada and then moved to the upper Ottawa River.