Buffalo bill born

Buffalo Bill Cody

(1846-1917)

Who Was Buffalo Bill Cody?

Born near LeClaire in Scott County, Iowa, in 1846, Buffalo Bill Cody rode on the Pony Express at the age of 14, fought in the American Civil War, served as a scout for the Army, and was already an Old West legend before mounting his famous Wild West show, which traveled the United States and Europe.

Early Life

Born near LeClaire in Scott County, Iowa, on February 26, 1846, William F. Cody worked for a freight company as a messenger and wrangler before trying his luck as a prospector in the Pikes Peak gold rush in 1859. The next year, at age 14, Cody joined the Pony Express, fitting the bill for the advertised position: "skinny, expert riders willing to risk death daily."

Buffalo Bill: The Hero

Cody later served in the American Civil War, and in 1867 he began buffalo hunting (to feed constructions crews building railroads), which would give him the nickname that would define him forever. His own assessment puts the number of buffalo he killed at 4,280, in just over a year and a half.

In 1868, Cody retur

William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody

1846 – 1917

In this video, scholar Louis Warren shares some insights into William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody.

A Legend is Born

William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was born just west of the Mississippi River near LeClaire, Iowa, on February 26, 1846. At age 12, he worked for a wagon train headed to Fort Laramie, Wyoming; the next year, he participated in the gold rush to Colorado; and at 15, he reportedly rode for the Pony Express. By the end of his life, he had come to symbolize the American frontier itself.

Cody served as a scout for the Union Army’s Seventh Kansas Cavalry during the last years of the American Civil War. On March 6, 1866, he married Louisa Frederici (1843 – 1921) in St. Louis, Missouri. They had four children: Arta Lucille (1866 – 1904), Kit Carson (1870 – 1876), Orra Maude (1872 – 1883), and Irma Louise (1883 – 1918).

In 1867, Cody hunted buffalo for the Kansas Pacific Railroad work crews, earning his moniker “Buffalo Bill” and his reputation as an expert shot.

Buffalo Bill

American frontiersman and showman (1846–1917)

For other uses, see Buffalo Bill (disambiguation).

"Bill Cody" redirects here. For other uses, see Bill Cody (disambiguation).

Buffalo Bill

Buffalo Bill in 1911

Born

William Frederick Cody


(1846-02-26)February 26, 1846

Le Claire, Iowa Territory, U.S.

DiedJanuary 10, 1917(1917-01-10) (aged 70)

Denver, Colorado, U.S.

Resting placeLookout Mountain, Colorado
39°43′57″N105°14′17″W / 39.73250°N 105.23806°W / 39.73250; -105.23806 (Grave of William "Buffalo Bill" Cody)
Other namesBuffalo Bill Cody
Pahaska (Long hair)[1]
Occupation(s)Army scout, Pony Express rider, ranch hand, wagon train driver, town developer, railroad contractor, bison hunter, fur trapper, gold prospector, showman
Known forBuffalo Bill's Wild West shows
Spouse
Children4
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1863–1865, 1868–1872
RankPrivate 2 (Chief of Scouts)
Unit7th Kansas Cavalry Regiment (Company H

Copyright ©cafebee.pages.dev 2025