James Kipp – Long Time Fur Trader
The life of James Kipp, a prominent figure in the North American fur trade, is a captivating narrative of adventure, cultural exchange, and enduring legacy. Born on March 15, 1788, near Montreal, Canada, to Samuel Kipp V and Mary Knapp Kipp, Kipp’s early life remains shrouded in some mystery. However, by the age of 20, he had already embarked on a path that would define his life, entering the bustling fur trade in the Red River region. It is believed that he initially worked for the esteemed North West Company, a major player in the Canadian fur trade. Physically, he was described as an imposing figure, standing tall at six feet two inches, with striking blue eyes and brown hair, suggesting a man well-suited for the rigors of frontier life.
In 1813, James Kipp returned to Canada, marking a brief interlude in his adventurous career. On June 23, 1813, he married Elizabeth Rocheleau in Kingston, embarking on a new chapter that saw him working as a carpenter, joiner, and mason in Montreal. This period of relative domesticity resulted in the birth of two daughters, grounding him in family life before the call of the West beckoned once more.
By 1818, the allure of the Upper Missouri River region proved too strong to resist. James Kipp found himself drawn back into the fur trade, this time working for the Columbia Fur Company, another significant enterprise in the industry. This return to the frontier came at a personal cost, however, as his wife, Elizabeth, passed away on October 15, 1818, leaving him a widower and further cementing his dedication to the demanding life of a fur trader.
The year 1822 marked a pivotal point in Kipp’s career. He was appointed as the agent at Fort Clark, a crucial trading post located in what is now North Dakota. This strategic location allowed him to primarily trade with the Mandan Indians, a significant and influential tribe in the region. For the next 13 years, Fort Clark became Kipp’s home and base of operations, forging deep connections with the Mandan people. He distinguished himself by becoming the first white man to fluently learn and speak their language, an accomplishment that undoubtedly fostered trust and facilitated trade. Around 1824, Kipp further solidified his relationship with the Mandan by marrying a Mandan princess, a union that symbolized a merging of cultures. This marriage produced a son, Samuel Kipp, who would follow in his father’s footsteps, becoming a fur trader and scout himself. During his tenure at Fort Clark, Kipp’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to build the White Earth River Fort in Canada in 1825 and Fort Piegan in Montana in 1831, further expanding the reach of the fur trade into Blackfeet territory.
The landscape of the fur trade was constantly evolving. In 1827, the Columbia Fur Company was absorbed by the larger and more powerful American Fur Company. James Kipp, however, remained a valuable asset and continued his work under the new management. His reputation and expertise were well-established, and his presence was crucial to maintaining trade relations in the Upper Missouri region. The year 1832 brought a distinguished visitor to Fort Clark: George Catlin, an American painter and author renowned for his documentation of Native American customs and costumes. Catlin resided with Kipp at Fort Clark, immersing himself in the culture of the Mandan people and creating portraits of their prominent figures. Kipp himself acknowledged Catlin’s visit, stating, "In the summer of 1832, Mr. George Catlin was a guest in my fort at the Mandan village, observing and learning the customs of the interesting and peculiar people, and painting the portraits of their celebrated men, of which he had many and with great exactness." The following year, another notable figure, the German Prince Alexander Philippe Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, visited Fort Clark as part of a study trip across the American "Far West," further highlighting the significance of the fort as a hub of cultural exchange and exploration.
Around 1835, James Kipp left Fort Clark and was assigned to work among the Blackfeet Indians in Montana. This new assignment led to the construction of Fort McKenzie, a strategically important trading post that further solidified the American Fur Company’s presence in the region. In 1839, at the age of 51, Kipp’s personal life took another turn when he married Mary Bloodgood, a 25-year-old white woman, in Missouri. This marriage represented a connection to the more settled life of the East, even as Kipp continued to operate in the West.
Kipp’s life was characterized by a demanding routine dictated by the seasons and the rhythms of the fur trade. In the fall, he would typically lead a pack train laden with European and American goods, traveling some 2,000 miles up the Missouri River to trade with the Native American tribes of the Upper Missouri River region. These goods were essential for the Native Americans, providing them with tools, textiles, and other commodities in exchange for valuable furs. In the spring, Kipp would lead expeditions down the Missouri River to St. Louis, a major commercial center. These expeditions involved fleets of keelboats or Mackinaws, sturdy vessels loaded with the furs acquired during the trading season. The journey to St. Louis was arduous and fraught with challenges, but it was crucial for delivering the furs to market and replenishing supplies for the next trading season. Kipp continued this demanding pattern well into his 60s, demonstrating his remarkable resilience and dedication to the fur trade.
In 1843, Kipp’s responsibilities expanded to include managing Fort Alexander on the Yellowstone River in Canada. This assignment further underscored his reputation as a reliable and experienced trader capable of overseeing operations in remote and challenging environments.
In July 1844, Kipp purchased land in Platte County, Missouri, signaling a desire to establish a more permanent presence in the settled territories. He established a farm and organized expeditions from this base, blending agricultural pursuits with his continued involvement in the fur trade. By the following year, he was once again in the field, taking charge of Fort Union in North Dakota, one of the most important trading posts in the Upper Missouri region.
Despite his marriage to Mary Bloodgood in Missouri, Kipp’s connections to the Mandan people remained strong. In about 1847, he married Earth Woman, a Mandan Indian woman, reflecting the complex and interwoven nature of his life. With her, he had a son named Joseph in 1849, further cementing his ties to the Mandan community.
In 1849, like many others, James Kipp joined the California Gold Rush, lured by the promise of wealth and adventure. However, his foray into gold mining proved unsuccessful, and he soon returned to the familiar world of the fur trade on the Missouri River. By the summer of 1851, he was once again in charge of Fort Berthold, North Dakota, trading with the Mandan Indians. It was here that he encountered Rudolph Friederich Kurz, a young Swiss naturalist painter who documented his experiences and provided a valuable description of Kipp: "James Kipp was the first man to pilot a steamboat on the Missouri River, around 1840, and he was very familiar with this watercourse due to having navigated it for many years, for which he was called Captain Kipp. In June of each year, at the flooding of the waters of the Missouri River, Captain Kipp descended with his boats filled with furs from the upper regions to Saint Louis to sell them. He sometimes traveled with as many as twenty or thirty boats, and even more, each carrying a load of five tons." Kurz’s account highlights Kipp’s expertise in navigating the treacherous Missouri River and his significant role in transporting furs to market.
James Kipp continued to work in the fur trade along the Missouri River until 1859, when, at the age of 71, he finally retired to his farm in Platte County, Missouri. The 1860 census records show James and Mary Kipp living on the farm, along with Kipp’s son Samuel, his wife Mariah, and their two children. This arrangement suggests a multigenerational household and a desire to consolidate family ties after years of separation due to Kipp’s travels.
Even in retirement, Kipp’s connection to the West remained strong. He continued to make regular visits up the Missouri River to see his Mandan wife, Earth Woman, his son Joseph, and his old friends on the Upper Missouri River. These visits underscore the enduring bonds he had forged with the Native American communities and his commitment to maintaining those relationships.
As age began to take its toll, Kipp’s ability to travel diminished. In 1878, unable to make the journey, he wrote to his son Joseph, "Give my love to your mother and all the family. I remain affectionately, Father." This simple message encapsulates the deep affection and connection he felt for his Mandan family.
James Kipp died on July 2, 1880, at the remarkable age of 92. He was buried in Parkville, Missouri, marking the end of a long and eventful life. Kipp’s legacy as a fur trader, cultural mediator, and pioneer of the American West endures, a testament to his adaptability, resilience, and enduring spirit.