Chouteau Family Papers
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Finding-Aid for the Chouteau Family Papers [00165]Collection Description
Papers, ca. 1883-1918
99 items
Access: Open
Along with Pierre Laclede, Auguste Chouteau helped to found the city of St. Louis, while partnering with Laclede to accumulate a vast trading empire. After Laclede’s death in 1778, the Choteau family, led by brothers Auguste and Pierre, Sr., took over the business, forming an economic dynasty that lasted into the 20th century. For a detailed genealogy of the Choteau family see: Beckwith, Paul: Creoles of St. Louis and Clark, Beatrice: The Chouteau Family: A Genealogy of Descendants and Collateral Branches.
The Chouteau Papers include correspondence (1903-1913) among
members of the family, as well as with Judge Walter B. Douglas
and novelist Winston Churchill. There is also a good deal of
miscellany dating from 1883 until 1918, including receipts signed
by Henry, wedding invitations, calling cards, newspaper
clippings, and photographs of the Chouteau family and other famous
families of St. Louis.