Lawyer and Judge. In 1804, after holding various offices, he was appointed chief deputy surveyor for Upper Louisiana by Albert Gallatin, the principal deputy surveyor. This brought him to St. Louis and in 1807 he was made first judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the District of St. Louis. The next year he became auditor of public accounts. In 1808 he was made presiding judge of the St. Louis court and signed the first town charter. In 1811 he was again public auditor and in 1813 became a supreme judge of Missouri Territory. He held this office until it was abolished by the admission of Missouri into the Union. After that he was appointed clerk of the St. Louis County Court, and held that office until his death. His two sons, Charles and William went west and founded Bent's Fort. Later, Charles became territorial governor of New Mexico. Silas was the great grandfather of Charles Marion Russell, the famous western artist.
Lawyer and Judge. In 1804, after holding various offices, he was appointed chief deputy surveyor for Upper Louisiana by Albert Gallatin, the principal deputy surveyor. This brought him to St. Louis and in 1807 he was made first judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the District of St. Louis. The next year he became auditor of public accounts. In 1808 he was made presiding judge of the St. Louis court and signed the first town charter. In 1811 he was again public auditor and in 1813 became a supreme judge of Missouri Territory. He held this office until it was abolished by the admission of Missouri into the Union. After that he was appointed clerk of the St. Louis County Court, and held that office until his death. His two sons, Charles and William went west and founded Bent's Fort. Later, Charles became territorial governor of New Mexico. Silas was the great grandfather of Charles Marion Russell, the famous western artist.
Bio by: Connie Nisinger
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