William Miles Chick
American businessman and pioneer (1794–1847)
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William Miles Chick (August 31, 1794 – April 7, 1847) is an American businessman and pioneer, who was one of the earliest settlers and the first postmaster of Kansas City, Missouri.
William Miles Chick | |
|---|---|
1870 posthumous portrait of Chick by George Caleb Bingham | |
| 1st postmaster of Kansas City, Missouri | |
| In office 1845 – April 7, 1847 | |
| Preceding | Position established |
| Preceded by | Washington Henry Chick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 31, 1794 |
| Died | April 7, 1847 (aged 52) |
| Relations | Nathan Scarritt (son-in-law) John Calvin McCoy (son-in-law) William Chick Scarritt (grandson) Dorothy McKibbin (great-granddaughter) Isaac McCoy (co-father-in-law) |
| Children | 8 |
| Occupation | Businessman, pioneer |
| Military service | |
| Rank | Colonel |
| War | War of 1812 |
Early life
Chick was born on a tobacco farm near Lynchburg, Virginia, on August 31, 1794. He grew up working on the farm, and worked as a merchant in Alexandria. He served in the War of 1812, reaching the rank of colonel, but never fought a battle. In 1816, he married Ann Eliza Smith, having 8 children.[1]
Kansas City
In 1822, Chick moved to Missouri and built a farm. When the Missouri River flooded in 1826, their farm was destroyed. He then moved to Howard County and spent a decade farming tobacco. In 1836, he moved to Kansas City and bought a 2-story log cabin from John Calvin McCoy. There, he operated a general store.[2]
In 1838, he and a group of investors founded the Town of Kansas. In 1843, he opened a riverfront warehouse to store fur.[1]
Death and legacy
In 1845, Chick became the first postmaster of Kansas City, serving until his death of pneumonia on April 7, 1847.[3] After his death, his son Washington Henry Chick became the second postmaster of Kansas City.[2]
One of Chick's daughter's, Virginia Christiana Chick, married John Calvin McCoy on January 23, 1838.[4] Another daughter, Martha Matilda Chick, married Nathan Scarritt in 1850.[5] Their child and his grandson, William Chick Scarritt—who was named after him, was a prominent lawyer and owner of the William Chick Scarritt House.[6] Chick's great-granddaughter was Dorothy McKibbin, a manager of the Manhattan Project.[7]