Squire Boone Biography

The Incredible Adventures of Daniel Boone's Kid Brother, Squire, by Fred Conway

(FBH Publishers, 1994), pb., 111 pp.

Ages 9+

This is a fun book full of adventure as well as historical information.  Most kids know about Daniel Boone, but few have heard of his brother, Squire.  Conway does a good job in telling the narrative of Squire’s life capturing the key historical events and the spirit of adventure.

I had heard of Squire but had no idea of his historical significance. I had not known that Squire after his conversion became a Baptist preacher of Reformed convictions. As an older man he carved into the foundation stones of the grist mill he and his sons built:

I set and sing my soul’s salvation and

Bless the God of my creation

My God my life hath much befriended

I’ll praise him til my days are ended.

In addition to being a key pioneer, settler and founder of forts and towns, Squire also served as delegate to the first legislature of Kentucky (1775), state representative, signatory of Virginia’s ratification of the Constitution (Kentucky was then part of Virginia), performed the first recorded wedding west of the Appalachians, delivered the first church sermon in Louisville, and  built the first Baptist church in Indiana. Not bad!

The book concludes with very informative appendices noting historic locations and parks commemorating Squire Boone which can be visited today.

This is a useful, informative and enjoyable little book and we commend it to you.