Joshua Pilcher
Encyclopedia
Joshua Pilcher was an American fur trader and Indian agent
. After Manuel Lisa's death in 1820, Pilcher became the owner and president of the Missouri Fur Company
, based in St. Louis. He was appointed US Superintendent for Indian Affairs (1838-1843) in the region after William Clark
.
. When he was five, his family moved to Lexington, Kentucky. Later, during the War of 1812
, Pilcher moved to Saint Louis, a thriving town based on fur trading, located on the Mississippi River.
, the chief driver of the St. Louis economy. In 1819, he expanded his business to include fur trading, becoming a partner in the Missouri Fur Company
. This had been started by French Creole families in St. Louis, and was later managed solely by Manuel Lisa
. After Lisa'a death in 1820, Pilcher bought the company.
In 1838, President
Martin Van Buren
appointed Pilcher as the US Superintendent of Indian Affairs at St. Louis. He served in that position until his death.
Believed to have been wealthy at his death, Pilcher owned real estate and more than 150 slaves. His relatives were surprised at his will, which did not mention most of his holdings and was not what they expected from such a businessman. They were never able to solve the estate issues.
Pilcher was first buried at Christ Church Cemetery, according to his will. After it was closed, a friend had his remains reinterred at Bellefontaine Cemetery.
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....
. After Manuel Lisa's death in 1820, Pilcher became the owner and president of the Missouri Fur Company
Missouri Fur Company
The Missouri Fur Company was one of the earliest fur trading companies in St. Louis, Missouri. Dissolved and reorganized several times, it operated under various names from 1809 until its final dissolution in 1830. It was created by a group of fur traders and merchants from St...
, based in St. Louis. He was appointed US Superintendent for Indian Affairs (1838-1843) in the region after William Clark
William Clark
William Clark was an American explorer, soldier, Indian agent, and territorial governor. A native of Virginia, he grew up in prestatehood Kentucky before later settling in what became the state of Missouri...
.
Early life and education
Pilcher was born in Culpeper County, VirginiaCulpeper County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,262 people, 12,141 households, and 9,045 families residing in the county. The population density was 90 people per square mile . There were 12,871 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile...
. When he was five, his family moved to Lexington, Kentucky. Later, during 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...
, Pilcher moved to Saint Louis, a thriving town based on fur trading, located on the Mississippi River.
Career
He entered hatmaking in St. Louis. Then he became interested in the fur tradeFur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
, the chief driver of the St. Louis economy. In 1819, he expanded his business to include fur trading, becoming a partner in the Missouri Fur Company
Missouri Fur Company
The Missouri Fur Company was one of the earliest fur trading companies in St. Louis, Missouri. Dissolved and reorganized several times, it operated under various names from 1809 until its final dissolution in 1830. It was created by a group of fur traders and merchants from St...
. This had been started by French Creole families in St. Louis, and was later managed solely by Manuel Lisa
Manuel Lisa
Manuel Lisa, also known as Manuel de Lisa , was a Spanish-American fur trader, explorer, and United States Indian agent. He was among the founders in St. Louis of the Missouri Fur Company, an early fur trading company...
. After Lisa'a death in 1820, Pilcher bought the company.
In 1838, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States . Before his presidency, he was the eighth Vice President and the tenth Secretary of State, under Andrew Jackson ....
appointed Pilcher as the US Superintendent of Indian Affairs at St. Louis. He served in that position until his death.
Believed to have been wealthy at his death, Pilcher owned real estate and more than 150 slaves. His relatives were surprised at his will, which did not mention most of his holdings and was not what they expected from such a businessman. They were never able to solve the estate issues.
Pilcher was first buried at Christ Church Cemetery, according to his will. After it was closed, a friend had his remains reinterred at Bellefontaine Cemetery.