Background
Pilcher, Joshua was born on March 15, 1790 in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. Son of Joshua and Nancy Pilcher.
Pilcher, Joshua was born on March 15, 1790 in Culpeper County, Virginia, United States. Son of Joshua and Nancy Pilcher.
Never married.
After Manuel Lisa"s death in 1820, Pilcher became the owner and president of the Missouri Fur Company, based in Saint Louis. He was appointed United States 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.
He entered hatmaking in Saint Louis. Then he became interested in the fur trade, the chief driver of the Saint 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 Saint 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 United States Superintendent of Indian Affairs at Saint 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.