William Morrison

William Morrison came to Kaskaskia in 1790 as a representative of Bryant and Morrison of Philadelphia. He was a very capable person and the business he established prospered greatly, though much of his time was given to public service. The extent of his business is indicated in old records, still existent, showing single shipments of furs totaling more than $34,000. These records also indicate that he served as a wholesaler and furnished goods to the other merchants. He seems to have charged as much as he felt the traffic would bear, often selling some staple, like sugar, coffee or tea to an Indian or flat-boatman for three times the price charged a local resident on the same day.