Nat Love

Nat Love, African-American cowboy, was born into slavery on a plantation near Nashville, Tennessee in June, 1854. He died in Los Angeles at age 67 in 1921.

Parents: son of Sampson Love and ? Love. His father was a slave foreman in the fields and his mother managed the kitchen. The plantation owner was Robert Love of Davidson County, Tennessee.

note: older brother Jordan; older sister Sally.

Married:

Children of

How he became 'Deadwood Dick'

Nat Love's autobiography tells of many adventures fighting against cattle rustlers and inclement weather. His many years of experience made him an expert marksman and cowboy. He entered a rodeo in Deadwood, South Dakota on the 4th of July in 1876. He won the rope, throw, tie, bridle, saddle and bronco riding contests. It was at this contest that the fans gave him the nickname "Deadwood Dick."[1]

Links

• Nat Love
• Nat Love
• African American Cowboys by Roger D. Hardway

Sources

• The Life and Adventures of Nat Love Better Known in the Cattle Country as "Deadwood Dick" by Himself; a True History of Slavery Days, Life on the Great Cattle Ranges and on the Plains of the "Wild and Woolly" West, Based on Facts, and Personal Experiences of the Author. Los Angeles, Cal.: s.n., 1907.

Citations

1. Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience P.175