William Miles Chick

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.

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.

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.

In 1838, he and a group of investors founded the Town of Kansas. In 1843, he opened a riverfront warehouse to store fur. After his death, his son Washington Henry Chick became the second postmaster of Kansas City. Another daughter, Martha Matilda Chick, married Nathan Scarritt in 1850. 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. Chick's great-granddaughter was Dorothy McKibbin, a manager of the Manhattan Project.