Title: Bio - Annals of St. Louis
Text:
PILCHER, JOSHUA
Annals of St. Louis in its Territorial Days From 1804 to 1821 by Frederic L.
Billon; St. Louis, 1888
Born in Culpeper County, Virginia, March 15, 1790; came to St. Louis during the
War of 1812-15. Originally a hatter by occupation, being a gentleman of
intelligence and enterprise, he engaged in mercantile pursuits, associated for
some time with Col. Thos. F. Riddick, who was a relative.
About the year 1820 he engaged in the Fur trade of the Upper Missouri River, in
which pusuit he spent a number of yenrs, and acquired a thorough knowledge of
the various tribes of that region.
At the death of Gen'l William Clark in 1838, Mr. Pilcher was appointed by
President Van Buren to succeed him in the offiee of Superintendent of Indian
affairs at St. Louis. This position he filled for about five years, dying here,
unmarried, on June 5, 1843, aged 53 years, 2 months and 21 days.
Title: Obituary - 08 Jun 1843
Text:
PILCHER, MAJOR JOSHUA
Missouri Reporter | June 8, 1843
In the death of this high esteemed and worthy citizen, society has lost one of its
best ornaments. But few men in the West were more intimately acquainted with
our Indian relations, and had been more extensively employed in conducting
negotiations with the different tribes. He was reformed out of office by the
present national administration solely on political grounds, being an ardent and
consistent Democrat; by one against whose public image and private life not a
word of reproach could be uttered. His memory will be fondly cherished by the
thousands in the West who have reaped the fruits of his labors, and whose
prosperity is greatly owing to the efficient manner in which he discharged the
arduous and delicate duties of his office for a long series of years. Even the red
men of the forest and prairie will remember one, who whilst serving the American
Government, was desirous of promoting their happiness and assuaging the
miseries of their present unfortunate condition.
Note: Joshua's funeral procession was large and lavish. He was interred at
Christ Church Cemetery on the 7th and had according the his will, a lot enclosed
by a fifteen foot square stone wall. When Christ Church Cemetery was closed,
however, his remains were removed to the Brooks plot in Bellefontaine Cemerty
and had been authorized by Virginia C. Brooks, widow of Edward and daughter
of Thomas F. Riddick. (pdp 2007)
|
