Charles Gratiot Sr.

He moved to the Illinois country and started his own business in 1777, opening a store at Cahokia and becoming an influential trader.

After the American Revolution, Gratiot travelled to Virginia to seek reimbursement for $8,000 in expenses for his aid to the Illinois campaign.

In 1785, Charles Gratiot received a Spanish land grant in south western St. Louis, MO.

It extended from the middle of Forest Park (St. Louis) south to Pernod Ave and from Kingshighway on the east to Big Bend Blvd.

In 1804, Gratiot was an official witness to the transfer of Upper Louisiana from Spain to the United States, after which he was appointed as judge of the court of common pleas, justice of the peace and clerk of the board of land commissioners.