Andrew Henry was a towering figure of the American frontier, an individual whose diverse talents as a military officer, miner, frontiersman, trapper, and shrewd businessman left an indelible mark on the burgeoning fur trade industry. Born in 1775, Andrew Henry‘s adventurous spirit and entrepreneurial drive propelled him into the untamed wilderness, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the exploration and economic development of the American West.
The Early Years: From Pennsylvania to Missouri
Born in 1775 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, to George and Margaret Young Henry, Andrew Henry hailed from a prominent family and received an education in his youth. At the age of 18, a disagreement with his parents over his choice of a spouse led him to leave home, severing all communication with his family thereafter. The precise details of his whereabouts in the intervening years remain largely unknown.
By 1798, Andrew Henry had established himself in Nashville, Tennessee. His westward journey continued, and by April 1800, he arrived in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. There, in a significant partnership with William H. Ashley, he acquired 640 acres of land within the rich lead mining district of Washington County. This area, located near what is now Potosi, Missouri, quickly became known as “Henry’s Diggings,” marking his early success in the mining industry.
Pioneering the Fur Trade: The Missouri Fur Company
In 1809, Andrew Henry embarked on one of his most significant ventures, co-founding the Missouri Fur Company. His partners in this ambitious enterprise included renowned figures such as Manuel Lisa, Jean Pierre Choteau, and William Clark. Henry was entrusted with leading a crucial expedition to the Three Forks of the Missouri River in Montana. Here, in 1810, he established a vital trading post.
However, the wilderness presented formidable challenges. The post faced relentless attacks from the formidable Blackfeet Indians, making sustained operations increasingly difficult and dangerous. Despite the strategic location, the constant hostilities eventually forced the abandonment of the trading post, a testament to the harsh realities and fierce competition for resources on the frontier.
Further Explorations and Encounters
Undaunted, the following year saw Andrew Henry pushing deeper into the Montana–Idaho wilderness. During this period of intense exploration, he made a notable discovery, a body of water that now bears his name: Lake Henry. He also oversaw the construction of another crucial trading post on the Snake River, situated near present-day Saint Anthony, Idaho. It was during these western expeditions that his party encountered the Mandan Indians, a significant Native American tribe of the Missouri River valley.
Despite these advancements, the threat from Blackfeet warriors persisted. After enduring further difficulties and confrontations, Henry made the arduous journey back to St. Louis, Missouri, arriving in January 1812, reflecting the demanding nature of frontier life and the constant need for vigilance.
War, Marriage, and a Return to Mining
The early 1810s brought significant shifts in Andrew Henry’s life. He answered the call to duty, joining the War of 1812, where his military acumen saw him rise to the rank of Major. His service in the conflict demonstrated another facet of his diverse capabilities, contributing to the young nation’s defense.
Following the war, Henry transitioned back to his earlier successful pursuit: lead mining. His personal life also flourished during this period. In 1818, he married Mary Fleming, the daughter of one of the prominent lead mine owners in the region. Their union would eventually be blessed with four children, grounding the adventurous frontiersman in family life.
The Genesis of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company
In 1822, Andrew Henry once again joined forces with William H. Ashley, initiating what would become one of the most influential enterprises in the history of the American fur trade: the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. This new venture represented a significant evolution in the industry. Rather than primarily relying on trade with Native American tribes for furs and pelts, Ashley and Henry pioneered a revolutionary approach.
They placed advertisements in St. Louis newspapers, seeking to hire 100 skilled men to directly engage in trapping. This innovative strategy attracted a legendary cohort of frontiersmen and future icons of the American West, including Jedediah Smith, William Sublette, Jim Beckwourth, Thomas Fitzpatrick, and David Edward Jackson. These “Ashley’s Hundred” would become the archetypal mountain men, defining an era of rugged individualism and daring exploration.
Expeditions and Conflicts with Native Tribes
Later that year, Andrew Henry led a substantial expedition of 150 men up the Missouri River, pushing deep into the western territories toward the mouth of the Yellowstone River. There, they established a significant outpost known as Fort Henry in Montana, further solidifying the company’s presence in prime trapping grounds. However, the perils of the frontier remained ever-present. While exploring the familiar territory near Three Forks, his party suffered a tragic loss, with four men killed by vigilant Blackfeet warriors, highlighting the constant threat of intertribal conflict and territorial defense.
The Blackfeet were not the sole indigenous group to resist the encroachment of the fur trading companies. On June 2, 1823, a trapping expedition of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company along the Missouri River was brutally attacked by the Arikara. This violent confrontation resulted in the deaths of about a dozen traders. The attack was a direct response to a company employee having killed a chief’s son, escalating into a full-blown conflict known as the Arikara War. These events underscored the complex and often deadly interactions between fur traders and Native American nations.
A Legacy Beyond the Trapline: Final Years
After more than two arduous years in the wilderness, confronting immense dangers and logistical challenges, Andrew Henry concluded that the profits generated by the fur business did not adequately justify the extraordinary effort and risk involved. Consequently, he decided to sell his share of the partnership to William H. Ashley, effectively retiring from the active fur trade. He then returned to his mining interests in Washington County, Missouri.
Despite Henry’s departure, Ashley continued the enterprise, bringing back an impressive sum of over $100,000 in beaver pelts over the next two years, demonstrating the immense potential, albeit dangerous, of the fur trade. Henry’s direct involvement in fur trading may have ceased, but his impact was enduring. The rendezvous system, a novel approach to logistics and trade that he helped popularize, blossomed over the subsequent decade into a thriving commercial and social institution, fundamentally changing the way mountain men operated and traded.
Returning to his established base, Andrew Henry dedicated his final years to lead mining. He passed away in Washington County, Missouri, on January 10, 1832, at the age of 57.
Historian Hiram Chittenden painted a vivid portrait of Henry, describing him as “tall and slender, yet of commanding presence, with dark hair and light eyes inclined to blue. He was fond of reading and playing the violin well.” Beyond his physical description, Henry was widely recognized for his unwavering honesty, high ideals, and strong moral principles. His life embodied the spirit of the American frontier: a blend of rugged individualism, entrepreneurial ambition, and an enduring commitment to personal integrity. As Andrew Henry himself stated, “Honor and self-respect are more to be prized than anything else.“
