Background
Barge, Joseph Louisiana was born on October 1, 1815 in Saint Louis. Son of Joseph Marie and Eulalie (Hortiz) Louisiana Barge.
Barge, Joseph Louisiana was born on October 1, 1815 in Saint Louis. Son of Joseph Marie and Eulalie (Hortiz) Louisiana Barge.
Attended Saint Mary's College (Missouri), 1827-1830.
Clerk in American Furlongs Company boat, Yellowstone, traveling on Missouri River, 1831-1834, gained 1st experience as navigator when cholera epidemic incapacitated most of crew, 1833. Entered fur trade in competition with American Furlongs
Company, 1841, was forced to sell out.
Pilot of Omega for American Furlongs Company, 1843-1855, master at several times.
Piloted Audubon expedition to upper Missouri, 1843. Organized firm Louisiana Barge, Harkness & Company, 1861, encountered severe losses, sold out, 1862.
Pilot for United States Government, 1880-1885.
Held municipal office, Saint Louis, 1890-1894. Compiled list of all steamboat wrecks on Missouri River from its opening until 1897 for Missouri River Commission, 1896-1897. 1 of most famous of Missouri River boatmen.
Married Pelagie Guerette, August 17, 1842.