François Chouteau
Fur trader, founder of Kansas City, Missouri
About François Chouteau
Lived 1797 – 1838 (aged 41). François Chouteau was a fur trader.
François Gesseau Chouteau (February 7, 1797 – April 18, 1838) was a French-American pioneer fur trader and entrepreneur from the prominent Chouteau fur-trading family. He is widely regarded as the "Father of Kansas City".
To commemorate the foundational trading relationship between the Chouteau family and the regional tribes, the Osage Nation partnered with Kansas City to create the Chouteau Heritage Fountain, dedicated in 2021. It is located in the River North neighborhood, near the site of Chouteau's original post and his modern namesakes, the Chouteau Bridge and Chouteau Trafficway.
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Important facts
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was François Chouteau?
fur trader, founder of Kansas City, Missouri
When was François Chouteau born?
François Chouteau was born on 7 February 1797 in St. Louis.
When did François Chouteau die?
François Chouteau died on 18 April 1838 in Kansas City.
What was François Chouteau's occupation?
François Chouteau was a fur trader.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: François Chouteau
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). François Chouteau. https://biography.guide/francois-chouteau/
MLA: "François Chouteau." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/francois-chouteau/.
Chicago: "François Chouteau." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/francois-chouteau/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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