Early Life
Gilpin was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a wealthy family of Quakers. He was educated by private tutors and studied abroad in England for two years before attending the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1833. He graduated from the West Point in 1836.
He received a commission as second lieutenant in the United States Army and served in the Seminole Wars. He also served as a recruiter in Missouri. While in Missouri, he became attracted to opportunities on the frontier and to the idea of westward expansion of the nation. After leaving the Army in 1838, he moved to St. Louis where he became a newspaper editor and opened a law practice. After three years in St. Louis, he moved across the state to Independence, where he interacted with emigrants about to embark on the Oregon Trail.
Read more about this topic: William Gilpin (governor)
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