Jennie (Jean) Francis (Callbreath) Jamieson

Jean came from a long line of entrepreneurs, and just like her father, had many friends rich and poor alike

Jean’s history in the Telegraph Creek area is a long one.

Her grandfather, John Callbreath, (1826-1916) established a trading post, the Diamond C Trading Company, in Telegraph Creek in 1874. He catered to stampeders, trappers, big game hunters and miners.

His son, John Francis (Frank) Callbreath (1863-1930), Jean’s father, gave up railroading in California to take over the business, Diamond C, established by his father, 21 years previously. He began catering to big game hunters each fall and made a specialty of outfitting them for thirty-five years.

“While he knew the meaning of the word service and always endeavoured to please his patrons, his attitude toward the multi-millionaire was no different from dealing with a stranded prospector.”

He made many fast friends among rich and poor alike. His hunting business was never really advertised, but was a result of words spoken by former cliental.

Jean “Jennie” Callbreath was born on the Diamond C Ranch in Telegraph Creek, B.C., on June 22, 1913, to parents John Francis (Frank) Callbreath and Kitty Tstosa. Her mother, a member of the Tahltan Nation, passed away when Jean was only a few months old. Jean had two older brothers: John Roy (1906-1977) and Charles (1909-2010).

Jean was born “Jennie” Francis Callbreath, but she changed her name to Jean because her father had two mules in his pack train named Jennie and Aggie. Jennie’s brothers used to tease her calling her Jennie the Mule, hence the name change to Jean.

Jean was raised in Telegraph Creek on the family ranch until she was in Grade six. She then went to school in Wrangell, Alaska, for a year. Jean continued her education at St. Joseph’s Convent in Prince Rupert. B.C. Jean sailed by boat to Wrangell and Prince Rupert in the fall and returned to Telegraph Creek to spend the summers with her father and brothers on the ranch.

Although she was baptized in the Anglican Church she was educated in a Catholic School. She played the organ in the Anglican Church in Telegraph Creek.

Jean married Henry Gleason on January 8, 1931. Unfortunately, Henry died in the Stikine River about 1950. Jean’s children—Francis, James (Jimmy), Lois, Richard (Dick), and Margaret (Peggy)—were all born in Telegraph Creek.

Jean left Telegraph Creek and moved to Atlin, B.C., where she worked as cook for the Roxborough’s. She also worked as a cook’s helper at Eastmen’s Mining Camp at Spruce Creek.

In 1947, when Jean moved to Whitehorse, she worked at the Klondike Café on Main Street. She also worked for TC Richards at the Blue Owl Café. She then had her own café before working for Harry Chan at the Hollywood Café. However, Jean’s dream was to open a candy store!

She met her future husband, Roy Jamieson, in Whitehorse. Roy had a juke box in the Hollywood Café where Jean worked and her daughter, Peggy, introduced Roy to her mother, Jean.

The two entrepreneurs opened a small grocery store called Jamieson’s at the corner of Alexander and Fourth Avenue. It was the first cement block building in Whitehorse and possibly in the Yukon. During the years running Jamieson’s, Jean and Roy were known for their quiet generosity to community members and they never wanted to see anyone in need. Jean is best remembered sitting in the window of the store greeting everyone who walked in the door. Many Yukon childhood memories include buying candy at Jamieson’s on their way to and from Whitehorse Elementary School and Christ the King Elementary School.

Jean and Roy had two children, Fae and Geraldine (Geri).

Jean was well known for her love of politics. She was involved in many federal and territorial elections. Jean was a lifelong Conservative and worked tirelessly in every election for Erik Nielson. She was a lifetime member of the Yukon Party.

Jean was very active in the community. She belonged to the Canadian Legion, the Elks Lodge, Daughters of the Nile and The Golden Age Society.

She retired around the age of seventy. She had a great smile and a wonderful sense of humour and she was always one of the last to leave the party. Whenever Jean walked in where Hank Carr, Yukon Jack, or the Canucks were playing the song, “There’s a Tear in My Beer,” it was dedicated to her. Jean’s hands and feet would start to move to the music.

In her later years, Jean loved to go to the Legion on Saturday afternoons to play cards, even though she could not see the cards. She had developed macular degeneration.

Jean was well known for her baking skills, especially her short bread, white bread, white cake and cinnamon buns. Even after Jean was blind, she was still able to bake by feel and smell.

Jean loved the Royal Family. She collected royal family keepsakes and china, and there were always numerous magazines of the Royal Family in her home.

Jean lived with Geri and Craig Tuton for nearly ten years with the help of Daisy McIntyre during the day, before moving into Copper Ridge Place, where she passed away on February 19, 2015, at the age of one hundred and one.

This remarkable lady will always be remembered for living life to the fullest. She loved to spend time with family and friends. She loved to entertain and always wanted everyone to have a good time.