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Clay County Historical Society Webinar
Tue, SEP 29, 2020, 06:00pm

Mark Kelly: "Andrew Henry, Friend of Col. John Dougherty."  Henry’s efforts led to the formation of the Missouri Fur Company and the first American fur post beyond the Continental Divide.

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Information about Andrew Henry from Mark:

“Andrew Henry was a unique individual – a man possessed not only of the ability to walk among the societal elite of early-day, French-dominated Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, but capable, as well, of surviving the horrific attacks of the Blackfoot Confederacy at the Three Forks of the Missouri. Henry was an entrepreneur and merchant, possessed of vast acreages of lead-producing income, a shipping company, multiple mercantile establishments, and a blacksmith shop. He would facilitate the founding of no fewer than three towns. His company would reap such profits that multiple merchants of St. Louis sought him out to form a partnership entitled the St. Louis Missouri Fur Company. Formed in 1809, the partners jointly contributed the sum of $40,000 to outfit no fewer than 150 men on multiple keelboats to send upriver on the Missouri to both trade with the resident tribes of Native Americans and to trap beaver (although trapping was not a permitted activity at that time). The exploits of Henry are yet remembered, if only because of the well-named "Henry's Fork of the Snake River" and "Henry's Lake" of today's Idaho and the ruins/relics of multiple forts/camps bearing his name in the Far West. Although Henry did not keep a journal and wrote but few letters, the record indicates he was possessed of a phenomenal library and a well-used violin. He is revered by the members of today's American Mountain Men organization. The site of his grave is yet unknown (despite the Find-A-Grave declaration), but it is documented that he died in proximity to the town of Webster, Harmony Township, Washington County, Missouri – a ghost town within today's Mark Twain National Forest.”

Location Virtual via Zoom
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