Peter A. Sarpy
Encyclopedia
Peter Abadie Sarpy was the owner and operator of several fur trading
posts, essential to the European-American development of the Nebraska Territory
, and a thriving ferry business. A prominent businessman, he helped lay out the towns of Bellevue
and Decatur, Nebraska
. The legislature named Sarpy County after him in honor of his service to the state.
, Sarpy moved with his parents and siblings to St. Louis, Missouri
as a child. The family was of French Creole
descent, and joined other ethnic French in migrating to the growing town of St. Louis after the Louisiana Purchase
by the United States.
, in the Nebraska Territory
, to work at the American Fur Company
's trading post at Council Bluff, north of present-day Bellevue, Nebraska
. That company was owned by renowned fur baron John Jacob Astor
. Sarpy then worked for his brother's father-in-law, John Pierre Cabanné
, who ran Cabanne's Trading Post.
Cabanné's Post and Pilcher's Post, the latter established at Bellevue by the Missouri Fur Company
, competed for the fur trade of area Indian tribes: the Siouan-speaking Omaha
, Ponca
, Otoe
, and Pawnee
. The Missouri Fur Company was founded by French Creole
families in St. Louis. Some of their ancestors had migrated to the new settlement of St. Louis in the late eighteenth century were from farms in Illinois. They left when the latter was transferred from French to British
control after the Seven Years War. More migrated after the American Revolution
, as they wanted to evade US rule in Illinois. The fur trade in the region yielded such profits that for decades it was the most important driver of the St. Louis economy. In 1821 it represented $600,000 of the town's annual commerce of $2 million.
Sarpy later established a trading post and supply point for white settlers and pioneers on the Iowa
side of the upper Missouri River
. It went by various names, including Sarpy's Point and the "Trader's Post".
In 1832 Cabanné ordered Sarpy to head a group of American Fur Company employees to take over a keelboat
and goods which belonged to a competing company. Because of its profits, the fur trade business had cutthroat competition. After they were caught, US authorities ordered Cabanné and Sarpy to leave the Indian Territory for a year. The company replaced Cabanné with Joshua Pilcher
at Cabanné's Trading Post in North Omaha. Sarpy operated the Council Bluff trading post during 1835.
on the upper South Platte River
in present-day Colorado
.
across the river and supplied them for the rest of their westward trip. During the ensuing gold rush
years, Sarpy's ferry boats hauled many of the would-be gold miners across the Missouri River. Sarpy expanded his ferry business in two other locations: to cross the Elkhorn River
at Elkhorn City, later called Elk City, and also at a fork of the Loup River
near present-day Columbus
. By the 1850s, his fleet included a steam ferry.
Through his efforts, in 1849 an area post office, mark of a rising town, was established in Bellevue. In 1854, Sarpy was among the group that laid out the town of Bellevue
. In 1857 Sarpy joined Stephen Decatur
and others in founding Decatur
along the Missouri in northeastern Burt County
.
Sarpy and his family moved to Plattsmouth
in 1862. He died there on January 4, 1865.
. When it was closed in 1827 and he was reassigned, Gale left Ni-co-mi and Mary behind. Mary was also known as Hinnuaganun (One Woman). Later Sarpy and Ni-co-mi had children together. As an adult, Mary Gale married Joseph LaFlesche
, a fur trader of Ponca and French descent. Adopted by the chief Big Elk
and designated his successor, LaFlesche became the last recognized principal chief of the Omaha.
Fur 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...
posts, essential to the European-American development of the Nebraska Territory
Nebraska Territory
The Territory of Nebraska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until March 1, 1867, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Nebraska. The Nebraska Territory was created by the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854...
, and a thriving ferry business. A prominent businessman, he helped lay out the towns of Bellevue
Bellevue, Nebraska
Bellevue is a city in Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 50,137 at the 2010 census. Eight miles south of Omaha, Bellevue is part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Originally settled in the 1830s, It was the first state capitol. Bellevue was incorporated in...
and Decatur, Nebraska
Decatur, Nebraska
Decatur is a village in Burt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 618 at the 2000 census. This town is named after one of its incorporators, Stephen Decatur, who claimed to be the nephew of war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr....
. The legislature named Sarpy County after him in honor of his service to the state.
Biography
Born in New Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, Sarpy moved with his parents and siblings to St. Louis, Missouri
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...
as a child. The family was of French Creole
French-based creole languages
A French Creole, or French-based Creole language, is a creole language based on the French language, more specifically on a 17th century koiné French extant in Paris, the French Atlantic harbors, and the nascent French colonies...
descent, and joined other ethnic French in migrating to the growing town of St. Louis after the Louisiana Purchase
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of of France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The U.S...
by the United States.
Nebraska Territory
In 1823 at the age of 19, Sarpy went to the upper Missouri RiverMissouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
, in the Nebraska Territory
Nebraska Territory
The Territory of Nebraska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until March 1, 1867, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Nebraska. The Nebraska Territory was created by the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854...
, to work at the American Fur Company
American Fur Company
The American Fur Company was founded by John Jacob Astor in 1808. The company grew to monopolize the fur trade in the United States by 1830, and became one of the largest businesses in the country. The company was one the first great trusts in American business...
's trading post at Council Bluff, north of present-day Bellevue, Nebraska
Bellevue, Nebraska
Bellevue is a city in Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 50,137 at the 2010 census. Eight miles south of Omaha, Bellevue is part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Originally settled in the 1830s, It was the first state capitol. Bellevue was incorporated in...
. That company was owned by renowned fur baron John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor , born Johann Jakob Astor, was a German-American business magnate and investor who was the first prominent member of the Astor family and the first multi-millionaire in the United States...
. Sarpy then worked for his brother's father-in-law, John Pierre Cabanné
Cabanne's Trading Post
Cabanne's Trading Post was established in 1822 by the American Fur Company as Fort Robidoux near present-day Dodge Park in North Omaha, Nebraska. It was named for influential fur trapper Joseph Robidoux...
, who ran Cabanne's Trading Post.
Cabanné's Post and Pilcher's Post, the latter established at Bellevue by 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...
, competed for the fur trade of area Indian tribes: the Siouan-speaking Omaha
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, Ponca
Ponca
The Ponca are a Native American people of the Dhegihan branch of the Siouan-language group. There are two federally recognized Ponca tribes: the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma...
, Otoe
Otoe
Otoe may refer to*Otoe tribe, a Native American people*Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians, a federally recognized tribe in Oklahoma*Otoe, Nebraska*Otoe County, Nebraska...
, and Pawnee
Pawnee
Pawnee people are a Caddoan-speaking Native American tribe. They are federally recognized as the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma....
. The Missouri Fur Company was founded by French Creole
French-based creole languages
A French Creole, or French-based Creole language, is a creole language based on the French language, more specifically on a 17th century koiné French extant in Paris, the French Atlantic harbors, and the nascent French colonies...
families in St. Louis. Some of their ancestors had migrated to the new settlement of St. Louis in the late eighteenth century were from farms in Illinois. They left when the latter was transferred from French to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
control after the Seven Years War. More migrated after the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, as they wanted to evade US rule in Illinois. The fur trade in the region yielded such profits that for decades it was the most important driver of the St. Louis economy. In 1821 it represented $600,000 of the town's annual commerce of $2 million.
Sarpy later established a trading post and supply point for white settlers and pioneers on the Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
side of the upper Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
. It went by various names, including Sarpy's Point and the "Trader's Post".
In 1832 Cabanné ordered Sarpy to head a group of American Fur Company employees to take over a keelboat
Keelboat
Keelboat has two distinct meanings related to two different types of boats: one a riverine cargo-capable working boat, and the other a classification for small- to mid-sized recreational sailing yachts.-Historical keel-boats:...
and goods which belonged to a competing company. Because of its profits, the fur trade business had cutthroat competition. After they were caught, US authorities ordered Cabanné and Sarpy to leave the Indian Territory for a year. The company replaced Cabanné with Joshua Pilcher
Joshua Pilcher
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...
at Cabanné's Trading Post in North Omaha. Sarpy operated the Council Bluff trading post during 1835.
Colorado
Sarpy moved westward the next year, and in 1837 he established Fort JacksonFort Jackson (Colorado)
Fort Jackson was one of the four fur trading forts that lined the South Platte River area north of present-day metro Denver area. It was built by in the early part of 1837 at a cost of $12,000.00 by Peter A. Sarpy and Henry Fraeb and partially financed by the Western Division of the American Fur...
on the upper South Platte River
South Platte River
The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American Midwest and the American Southwest/Mountain West, located in the U.S. states of Colorado and Nebraska...
in present-day Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
.
Returning to Nebraska
In 1838, Sarpy returned to the Bellevue area and built another trading post. After Sarpy returning, he became influential in community affairs. About 1846 Sarpy started a ferry business across the Missouri, between Bellevue and the Iowa side. In 1846 and 47 Sarpy ferried MormonsMormons
The Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, a religion started by Joseph Smith during the American Second Great Awakening. A vast majority of Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while a minority are members of other independent churches....
across the river and supplied them for the rest of their westward trip. During the ensuing gold rush
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
years, Sarpy's ferry boats hauled many of the would-be gold miners across the Missouri River. Sarpy expanded his ferry business in two other locations: to cross the Elkhorn River
Elkhorn River
The Elkhorn River originates in the eastern Sandhills of Nebraska and is one of the largest tributaries of the Platte River, flowing and joining the Platte just southwest of Omaha, approximately 1 mile south and 3 miles west of Gretna.Located in northeast and north-central Nebraska, the Elkhorn...
at Elkhorn City, later called Elk City, and also at a fork of the Loup River
Loup River
The Loup River is a tributary of the Platte River, approximately long, in central Nebraska in the United States. The river drains a sparsely populated rural agricultural area on the eastern edge of the Great Plains southeast of the Sandhills...
near present-day Columbus
Columbus, Nebraska
Columbus is a city in east central Nebraska, United States. Its population was 22,111 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Platte County.-Pre-settlement history:...
. By the 1850s, his fleet included a steam ferry.
Through his efforts, in 1849 an area post office, mark of a rising town, was established in Bellevue. In 1854, Sarpy was among the group that laid out the town of Bellevue
Bellevue, Nebraska
Bellevue is a city in Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 50,137 at the 2010 census. Eight miles south of Omaha, Bellevue is part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. Originally settled in the 1830s, It was the first state capitol. Bellevue was incorporated in...
. In 1857 Sarpy joined Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur, Jr. , was an American naval officer notable for his many naval victories in the early 19th century. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, Worcester county, the son of a U.S. Naval Officer who served during the American Revolution. Shortly after attending college Decatur...
and others in founding Decatur
Decatur, Nebraska
Decatur is a village in Burt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 618 at the 2000 census. This town is named after one of its incorporators, Stephen Decatur, who claimed to be the nephew of war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr....
along the Missouri in northeastern Burt County
Burt County, Nebraska
-History:Burt County was formed in 1854. It was named after Francis Burt, the first governor of Nebraska Territory.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,791 people, 3,155 households, and 2,240 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile . ...
.
Sarpy and his family moved to Plattsmouth
Plattsmouth, Nebraska
Plattsmouth is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, Nebraska, United States, which was founded in 1855. The population was 6,887 at the 2000 census.-History:...
in 1862. He died there on January 4, 1865.
Marriage and family
Sarpy married Ni-co-mi (also spelled Ni-co-ma), of the Iowa people. She brought her daughter Mary Gale to the marriage. Ni-co-mi had been the consort of the surgeon John Gale, who had been stationed at Fort AtkinsonFort Atkinson (Nebraska)
Fort Atkinson was the first United States Army post to be established west of the Missouri River in the unorganized region of the Louisiana Purchase of the United States. Located just east of present-day Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, the fort was erected in 1819 and abandoned in 1827...
. When it was closed in 1827 and he was reassigned, Gale left Ni-co-mi and Mary behind. Mary was also known as Hinnuaganun (One Woman). Later Sarpy and Ni-co-mi had children together. As an adult, Mary Gale married Joseph LaFlesche
Joseph LaFlesche
Joseph LaFlesche, also known as E-sta-mah-za or Iron Eye , was the last recognized head chief of the Omaha tribe of Native Americans who was selected according to the traditional tribal rituals. The head chief Big Elk had adopted LaFlesche into the Omaha and designated him as his successor....
, a fur trader of Ponca and French descent. Adopted by the chief Big Elk
Big Elk
Big Elk, also known as Ontopanga , was a principal chief of the Omaha tribe for many years on the upper Missouri River. He is notable for his oration delivered at the funeral of Black Buffalo in 1813....
and designated his successor, LaFlesche became the last recognized principal chief of the Omaha.
Honors and legacy
- Sarpy CountySarpy County, Nebraska-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 122,595 people, 43,426 households, and 33,220 families residing in the county. The population density was 510 people per square mile . There were 44,981 housing units at an average density of 187 per square mile...
was named in his honor.
- Sarpy's Post was added to the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic PlacesThe National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
External links
- Historical image of Peter Sarpy.