John O'Fallon
Encyclopedia
John O'Fallon was a businessman, philanthropist, and military officer. During the 19th century he rose to become the wealthiest person in St. Louis, Missouri
. He is the namesake of O'Fallon, Illinois
and the nephew of William Clark. In 1857 he donated over $1 million to establish the O'Fallon Institute at what is now Washington University in St. Louis
.
O'Fallon's father, James O'Fallon, was a physician who served as a surgeon in Washington's army during the Revolutionary War
. After the war he went to Louisville, Kentucky
, married Frances Clark, a sister of George Rogers Clark
and William Clark, Army officers, who became famous in exploring the Mississippi Valley. O'Fallon's father died while he was a child and he was raised by his mother. Following in his father's foot steps he fought in the War of 1812
where he rose to the rank of Captain.
After the war ended O'Fallon settled in St. Louis and became assistant Indian Agent
to William Clark. O'Fallon then established a contracting business, buying and selling supplies to the Army, from which he accumulated wealth. He invested his newly acquired wealth in a number of very lucrative enterprises including railroads. He was one of the promoters of the Pacific Railroad (now Missouri Pacific) as well as the North Missouri Railroad (now the Wabash) and the Ohio and Mississippi (now Baltimore and Ohio) and was the first president of each of these railroads.
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. He is the namesake of O'Fallon, Illinois
O'Fallon, Illinois
O'Fallon is a city in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States, and one of the fastest-growing communities in the Metropolitan St. Louis area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 28,281. The city is the third largest city in the Metro-East and Southern Illinois...
and the nephew of William Clark. In 1857 he donated over $1 million to establish the O'Fallon Institute at what is now Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
.
O'Fallon's father, James O'Fallon, was a physician who served as a surgeon in Washington's army during the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. After the war he went to Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, married Frances Clark, a sister of George Rogers Clark
George Rogers Clark
George Rogers Clark was a soldier from Virginia and the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during the American Revolutionary War. He served as leader of the Kentucky militia throughout much of the war...
and William Clark, Army officers, who became famous in exploring the Mississippi Valley. O'Fallon's father died while he was a child and he was raised by his mother. Following in his father's foot steps he fought in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
where he rose to the rank of Captain.
After the war ended O'Fallon settled in St. Louis and became assistant Indian Agent
Indian agent
In United States history, an Indian agent was an individual authorized to interact with Native American tribes on behalf of the U.S. government.-Indian agents:*Leander Clark was agent for the Sac and Fox in Iowa beginning in 1866....
to William Clark. O'Fallon then established a contracting business, buying and selling supplies to the Army, from which he accumulated wealth. He invested his newly acquired wealth in a number of very lucrative enterprises including railroads. He was one of the promoters of the Pacific Railroad (now Missouri Pacific) as well as the North Missouri Railroad (now the Wabash) and the Ohio and Mississippi (now Baltimore and Ohio) and was the first president of each of these railroads.