Pacific Fur Company

The Pacific Fur Company was founded by John Jacob Astor on June 23, 1810, as a subsidiary of his American Fur Company. In 1811, the company established a trading post at Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. Astor lost this post during the War of 1812.

Astor did not make much money by making this company; in fact, he lost some money. He also lost a ship, the Tonquin, and 61 men. A captain named Jonathan Thorn was a bad choice, as he sunk the Tonquin and left some men to die on an island.