Early Life
Boone was born in a Federal militia camp near Miami, Missouri, May 17, 1864, to a contraband slave, Rachel Carpenter, who had been owned by descendants of Daniel Boone. His father was a bugler in the 7th Missouri State Militia Cavalry (Union). Doctors removed both of Boone's eyes when he was six months old in an attempt to cure his brain fever. He grew up in Warrensburg, Missouri, where Camp Grover was the headquarters of the 7th MSM at the end of the Civil War.
Boone had musical talent that was recognizable at a remarkably young age. Because of this, his hometown of Warrensburg decided to make sure that Boone received an education and paid for him to attend the St. Louis School for the Blind in 1872 to study piano. After growing bored with his experience there, Boone’s rule breaking habits got him expelled. He returned to Warrensburg where he began playing with local musicians. In 1880, Boone had the honor of playing on a concert given by famous pianist, Blind Tom. The fame he received from this performance ignited his professional career. Boone died of acute deflation of the heart on October 4, 1927 in Warrensburg. He was buried at the Columbia Cemetery (Columbia, Missouri).
Read more about this topic: John William Boone
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