Michael Manson and his wife Jane emigrated from Scotland, arriving at Cortes Island in 1886. The Mansons opened a trading post at the place still known as "Manson's Landing".

In Scotland, they had lost all but one of their children to diphtheria. They had also lost their business to fire. On Cortes, they began raising a second family (six girls & a boy). Later, when a recession struck they were forced to close their business.

By 1893, Michael Manson had not only become a Member of the B.C. Legislative Assembly, but also the Justice of the Peace and Coroner for the area.