Profile of the Day: Wild Bill Hickok

Do you have any gun-slingers in your family tree? On this day in 1837, legendary gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok was born in Troy Grove, Illinois.

Born James Butler Hickok, “Wild Bill” was an excellent marksman from a very young age. His adventurous life was ripe for legendary status. During the American Civil War, he served as a civilian scout for the Union Army. Although no records exist, some believe he may have even served as a Union spy in the Confederate Army.

During his lifetime, the name “Wild Bill Hickok” was known throughout the American West. Stories of his quick draw spread after his famous shootout with Davis Tutt. His legend continued to grow as the tales of his fighting skills increased, with some stories claiming he killed a bear with his barehands.

He later became a lawman on the frontier and a regular poker player at the Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon in Deadwood. In 1876, while playing a game, he was shot in the back and killed. His hand at the time of his death, a pair of black aces and eights, would become known as the “dead man’s hand.”

Explore Wild Bill Hickok’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re connected to the American folk hero of the Wild West. 

View Wild Bill Hickok’s Geni Profile