Edward was involved in the Fur Trade in Upper Missouri and the Territories. He and his family were at Fort Pierre soon after the U. S. Government purchased it in 1855, and he was the first sutler at the Fort after the U. S. purchase. A sutler was a civilian merchant who sold provisions to an army in the field, in camp or in quarters.

Fort Pierre had been built in 1832 and was renovated in the late 1840s. During the months of May through August 1855,after the U. S. purchase, Fort Pierre was provisioned for the arrival of soldiers. The first sutlery was operated by Edward G. Atkinson, who was a partner of the St. Louis firm of Frost & Atkinson. Bank ledgers in the papers of the St. Louis fur trade verify purchases were made on a credit basis, which was a common practice. As with all post sutlers, Atkinson was authorized to provide much of what the quartermaster did not.

Edward and his wife, Harriette, recently had their first child, Henry, on Jan. 29, 1855 before they left to settle at Fort Pierre. This poor child died on July 9, 1856 at Fort Pierre. Edward turned in his resignation at the fort in 1856, the death of their child probably prompted his resignation. Edward's young wife (age 21 in 1856), Harriette L. Walker Atkinson, daughter of Maj. Benjamin Walker, was also pregnant with their second child at this time. They were probably just wanting to get back closer to family before this child was born. They did not make it. Mary Houston Atkinson was born Jan 08, 1857 at Fort Pierre. Said to be the 'First White child born in the Dakotas'. Their youngest child, Benjamin Walker Atkinson, was born on Jan 02, 1859 back in St. Louis, MO.

Edward's life ended tragically on Aug 10, 1860 in St. Louis, leaving a wife and two young children. At the time of his death he was a member of the firm, D G FOWLER & CO., of Paducah, KY. Researched and written by Laura J. Stewart.


Buried in Cave Hill Cemetery on Aug, 13, 1860. SECTION H Lot 60 Bullitt family plot.