Book excerpt: William Frederick Cody (February 26, 1846 - January 10, 1917), known as Buffalo Bill, was an American soldier, bison hunter, and showman. He was born in Le Claire, Iowa Territory (now the US. state of Iowa), but he lived for several years in his father's hometown in modern-day Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, before the family returned to the Midwest and settled in the Kansas Territory. Buffalo Bill started working at the age of 11, after his father's death, and became a rider for the Pony Express at age 15. During the American Civil War, he served the Union from 1863 to the end of the war in 1865. Later he served as a civilian scout for the US. Army during the Indian Wars, receiving the Medal of Honor in 1872.