Zenas Leonard facts for kids

Zenas Leonard (born March 19, 1809 – died July 14, 1857) was an American mountain man, explorer, and trader. He became well-known for his journal, called Narrative of the Adventures of Zenas Leonard.

A mountain man was an explorer and fur trapper who lived in the American wilderness during the early 1800s. They often lived off the land and traded with Native American tribes.

Zenas Leonard's Early Life

Zenas Leonard was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. When he was a young man, he worked for his uncle in Pittsburgh. Later, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri.

In St. Louis, he worked as a clerk for a fur company named Gannt and Blackwell. This job helped him learn about the fur trade.

A Big Expedition into the West

In 1831, Zenas Leonard joined a large group of about 70 men. They went on a long trip to trap animals for their fur and to trade. This was a very challenging journey.

The group had to live off the land, finding their own food. Zenas Leonard wrote that buffalo meat was "the wholesomest and most palatable of meat kind." This means he found it very healthy and tasty.

Challenges on the Journey

The explorers faced many difficulties. They often had very little food and were close to starving. Their horses died during the harsh winter, which made travel even harder.

Despite these problems, Zenas Leonard and his friends managed to collect a lot of valuable furs. They became quite wealthy from their efforts.

Trading with Native Americans

To survive, the group traded with different Native American tribes. These trades helped them get supplies and food. Zenas Leonard wrote about meeting many helpful tribal members.

He even met a Black man who said he had been part of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition. This person might have been York, who was an important member of that earlier expedition.

Returning Home and His Journal

In 1835, Zenas Leonard returned to Independence, Missouri. He had earned enough money from the furs to start his own store. He also set up a trading post at Fort Osage.

He continued to trade along the river for the rest of his life. His adventures and experiences were very important to him.

The Famous Book

Zenas Leonard's journal was first shared in parts in the Clearfield Republican newspaper. Then, in 1839, it was published as a book by D.W. Moore in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

His journal shares many details about the different Native American tribes he met. Because it is an old book and free for anyone to use, you can find many copies of it today.