Pierre Chouteau, Jr. – Merchant and Fur Trader
Pierre Chouteau, Jr., a name synonymous with the burgeoning fur trade and mercantile endeavors of the American frontier, carved a significant niche for himself in the early 19th century. Born into the prominent and affluent Chouteau family of St. Louis, Missouri, he would rise to become a dominant figure, steering a powerful trading company that effectively monopolized commerce along the upper Missouri River. His story is one of ambition, innovation, and shrewd business acumen, leaving an indelible mark on the economic landscape of the American West.
Early Life and Family Heritage
On January 19, 1789, Jean Pierre Chouteau and Pelagie Kiersereau welcomed their son, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., into the world. The Chouteau family was already well-established in St. Louis, having built a considerable fortune through the fur trade. As a boy, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., was affectionately known as "Cadet," a French Creole term designating the second-born son. He received his early education in St. Louis, laying the foundation for his future business pursuits. However, formal schooling was soon superseded by practical experience. Before reaching the age of sixteen, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., began working as a clerk in his father’s store, gaining firsthand knowledge of trade and commerce, particularly in dealings with the Osage tribe.
Descriptions of Pierre Chouteau, Jr., paint a picture of a commanding presence. He was described as tall and erect, possessing striking coal-black hair and penetrating black eyes. His demeanor was further enhanced by a pleasant and engaging expression, suggesting a personality that was both authoritative and approachable – qualities that would undoubtedly serve him well in the demanding world of frontier trade.
Ventures in Dubuque and the War of 1812
In 1810, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., embarked on a new chapter, leaving St. Louis to oversee his family’s interests in the lead mines located in Dubuque, Iowa. He remained in Dubuque until the outbreak of the War of 1812, a conflict that would significantly impact the trajectory of his career. With the nation embroiled in war, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., returned to St. Louis, where he partnered with his brother-in-law, Bartholomew Berthold. Together, they established a store and ventured into the fur trade, marking the beginning of a long and impactful collaboration. On June 15, 1813, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., further solidified his family ties by marrying his first cousin, Emilie Gratiot. Their union would be blessed with five children.
Early Business Ventures and Setbacks
Berthold and Chouteau quickly established themselves as outfitters for traders heading west. In 1815, they supported an expedition led by Pierre Chouteau, Jr.’s brother, Auguste Chouteau, along with Jules DeMun and John Sarpy, into the upper Arkansas River region. Unfortunately, this venture met with adversity. In 1817, the men were arrested by Spanish authorities, who considered the area under their control. Auguste and his companions were imprisoned in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and their trade goods were confiscated. Although Auguste was eventually released, the incident left Pierre Chouteau, Jr., temporarily disillusioned with the volatile and often unpredictable nature of the fur trade.
Despite this setback, the partnership of Berthold and Chouteau, sometimes referred to as the French Company, persevered. In 1819, they backed a trading expedition led by Manuel Lisa to the Upper Missouri River. However, this venture also resulted in heavy losses, highlighting the risks and challenges inherent in the fur trade business.
Reorganization and Expansion
Despite experiencing both successes and failures, Berthold and Chouteau faced increasing competition in the bustling St. Louis fur market. In 1822, they decided to reorganize their company, bringing in a new partner, Bernard Pratte, who was married to Pierre Chouteau, Jr.’s cousin. The company was then renamed Berthold, Chouteau & Pratte, marking a new phase in their business operations.
With renewed vigor, the three partners embarked on several expeditions to the upper Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, establishing a network of trading posts along the Missouri River, extending as far north as present-day South Dakota. Around 1827, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., achieved a significant breakthrough when he arranged to purchase furs and supply goods to the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. This strategic partnership proved to be highly lucrative, propelling the company’s growth and influence. Pierre Chouteau, Jr., demonstrated his innovative spirit in 1832 by introducing steamboat navigation on the Missouri River. This revolutionary development dramatically increased the scale of the fur trade, enabling faster and more efficient transportation of goods and furs.
Alliance with the American Fur Company
As Chouteau and his partners prospered, they found themselves in competition with various fur trading companies, most notably the American Fur Company. However, a strategic shift began to occur. Pierre Chouteau, Jr., Bartholomew Berthold, John P. Cabanne, and Bernard Pratte gradually forged a relationship with John Jacob Astor, the owner of the American Fur Company. In 1827, Bernard Pratte & Company joined the American Fur Company’s Western Department as its St. Louis agent, marking the beginning of a powerful alliance.
In 1832, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., accompanied artist George Catlin as a passenger on the Yellow Stone, the first steamboat to successfully navigate the upper Missouri River. This voyage further cemented his reputation as a pioneer in the region.
Dominance in the Fur Trade
In 1834, John Jacob Astor retired from the American Fur Company. Bernard Pratte and Pierre Chouteau, Jr., seized the opportunity and purchased the Missouri River interests of the American Fur Company’s Western Department, forming Pratte, Chouteau, and Company. The northern portion of the American Fur Company’s interests was sold to Ramsay Crooks, who retained the "American Fur Company" name.
Pratte, Chouteau, and Company quickly rose to become a dominant force in the fur trade on the Central and Northern Great Plains. They established a vast network of trading posts stretching from Fort Union in North Dakota to Fort Laramie in Wyoming, solidifying their control over the region’s commerce.
Pierre Chouteau, Jr. and Company
In 1838, Bernard Pratte retired, giving Pierre Chouteau, Jr., control of the firm. He reorganized it as the Pierre Chouteau, Jr., and Company, which would become the preeminent trading company on the Missouri River. The company’s near-monopoly was achieved through a combination of light-draft steamboats and an illegal distillery at Fort Union, North Dakota. While the company initially focused on the fur trade, it later shifted its emphasis to buffalo robes, moving hundreds of thousands of them through St. Louis to markets in the eastern United States over the next 25 years.
In 1842, Ramsay Crooks sold his interest in the Red River and upper Mississippi watersheds to Pierre Chouteau, Jr., & Company. In 1845, the financial backers of the Union Fur Company sold their trading posts to their competitor, Pierre Chouteau, Jr.
In 1847, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., and his brother Auguste established Fort Benton, Montana, the last fur trading post on the Upper Missouri River. The fort was named in honor of U.S. Senator Thomas Hart Benton, a friend and influential supporter of the Chouteau family.
During these busy years, the Pierre Chouteau, Jr., & Company employed or partnered with several well-known frontiersmen, including Alexander Culbertson, Andrew Dawson, Malcolm Clarke, Kenneth McKenzie, Alexander Harvey, and Louis Rivit.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1849, Pierre Chouteau, Jr.’s son, Charles, took over the management of the St. Louis fur business, allowing Pierre Chouteau, Jr., to focus on other business interests. He became involved in banking and Iron Mountain deposits in St. Francois County, Missouri. In 1850, he partnered in the firm of Chouteau, Harrison & Valle, which operated a rolling mill in North St. Louis. He was also one of the original incorporators of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad of Illinois. As his business interests expanded, he moved to New York City, where he became a leading financier.
In the late 1850s, Pierre Chouteau, Jr.’s health began to decline, and in 1859 he lost his sight. That same year, the steamboat Chippewa, owned by Pierre Chouteau, Jr., & Company, successfully navigated to the head of navigation of the Missouri River at Fort Benton, Montana.
Three years later, on August 24, 1862, his wife of 50 years, Emilie, passed away. Pierre Chouteau, Jr., died in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 6, 1865. They are buried in a mausoleum at the Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis.
The Pierre Chouteau, Jr., & Company continued until 1864 and was sold in 1865. His children inherited a substantial estate.
Elihu B. Washburne, an American politician and diplomat, aptly described Pierre Chouteau, Jr., as a merchant and businessman who had no equal in the Mississippi Valley for nearly half a century. His impact on the fur trade, steamboat navigation, and the economic development of the American West remains significant.