Born 1734,
Near Reading, Pennsylvania
Died September 26, 1820,
St. Charles, Missouri

During his adventurous life as a hunter, explorer, and pioneer, Daniel Boone weathered a series of setbacks and misfortunes that would have discouraged others. But his perseverance enabled him to contribute greatly to the exploration of the North American wilderness.

Early Life

Boone was born near Reading, Pennsylvania, the son of Squire and Sarah Morgan Boone. When he was 15, his family moved to the Yadkin Valley in western North Carolina. As a young man, he fought briefly in the French and Indian War, serving as a wagon driver in General Edward Braddock’s expedition against Fort Duquesne in Pittsburgh. When Braddock’s army was defeated on July 9, 1755, Boone escaped on one of the wagon horses.

Returning to North Carolina, Boone married Rebecca Bryan. They built a log cabin and began farming, but a raid by...