William Henry Ashley

Jacksonian Representative of Missouri

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1778 (60 years old)

Birthday

March 26, 1838

Death

American politician active in the early 19th century.
Involved in various professions including mining, land speculation, manufacturing, and fur trading.
Co-owner of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, known as “Ashley’s Hundred,” which employed mountain men for fur trapping expeditions.
Served as brigadier general in the Missouri Militia during the War of 1812.
Elected as the first lieutenant governor of Missouri, serving from 1820 to 1824.
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1831 to 1837, and was a member of the Jacksonian Party.
Known for innovations in the fur trade, including the development of the rendezvous system for trade.
Explored and named various geographical features in the western United States, including Lake Ashley in Utah.
Experienced a decline in political support due to his pro-business stance, leading to an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign in 1836.
Died of pneumonia in 1838 and was buried in Missouri.