Pierre Chouteau Jr. & Company

Pierre Chouteau, Jr. and Company, a St. Louis, Missouri-based fur trading company, was formed through the purchase of the assets of the American Fur Company's Western Department, in 1834 by Bernard Pratte and Pierre Chouteau, Jr. The new firm operated as Pratte, Chouteau and Company, but in 1838, Pratte retired, Chouteau gained control and the firm operated for the remainder of its existence under his name. The firm, however, continued to be known as the American Fur Company throughout its operation. The Chouteau Company's Upper Missouri Outfit was the major American trading company in the Northwest from its inception to the end of the fur trade era in the 1860s, with periodic competition from other short-lived companies. The monopoly enjoyed by the Company from the mid-1830s was gained primarily by the combined use of light-draft steamboats and an illegal distillery at Fort Union. Some of the Chouteau Company's more well known partners and employees included: Alexander Culbertson, Andrew Dawson, Malcolm Clarke, Kenneth McKenzie, Alexander Harvey, and Louis Rivit.

From the guide to the Pierre Chouteau, Jr. and Company Records, 1834-1864, (Montana Historical Society Archives)

Pierre Chouteau, Jr. & Company, a St. Louis, Missouri-based fur trading company, was formed through the purchase of the assets of the of the American Fur Company's Western Department in 1834 by Bernard Pratte and Pierre Chouteau, Jr. The new firm was known as Pratte, Chouteau and Company until 1838, when Pratte retired and Chouteau gained control. The firm operated for the remainder of its existence under Chouteau's name, but continued to be known as the American Fur Company. The Chouteau Company's Upper Missouri Outfit was the major American trading company in the Northwest from its inception to the end of the fur trade era in the 1860s, with periodic competition from other short-lived companies. The monopoly enjoyed by the company from the mid-1830s was gained primarily by the combined use of lightdraft steamboats and an illegal distillery at Fort Union. Some of the Chouteau Company's more well-known partners and employees included Alexander Culbertson, Andrew Dawson, Malcolm Clark, Kenneth McKenzie, Alexander Harvey, and Louis Rivit.

From the description of Pierre Chouteau Jr. & Company records, 1844. (Montana Historical Society Library). WorldCat record id: 77145003