Henry Inman

Henry Inman (July 30, 1837 – November 13, 1899) was an American soldier, frontiersman, and author. He served the military during the Indian campaigns and the American Civil War, having earned distinction for gallantry on the battlefield. He was commissioned lieutenant general during the Indian wars. He settled in Kansas and worked as a journalist and author of short stories and books of the plains and western frontier. He was a friend and associate of Buffalo Bill and served under General Custer.

Early life Inman was born in New York City on July 30, 1837. (His date of birth is also stated as July 3, 1837.) His brother, John O'Brien Inman, was also an artist. Henry Inman was educated in public schools in Brooklyn, New York. His father died when he was a child and he was raised by his mother in Hempstead on Long Island for about five years before going away to the Athenian Academy in Rathway, New Jersey. He also received college preparation from tutors.

Military service Inman joined the army in 1857 and served during the Indian campaign in the 9th Infantry Regiment in Oregon and California.

He wrote of his adventures on the plains. One of his books was written with Buffalo Bill, The Great Salt Lake Trail. Buffalo Bill was named as co-author because Inman used a number of quotes from Cody's autobiographical book, Story of the Wild West. Inman's book, The Old Santa Fe Trail is also said to contain content from Buffalo Bill's autobiography. He also wrote A Pioneer from Kentucky, The Delahoydes, Tales of the Trail, The Ranch on the Ox-hide, and Buffalo Jones. Lake Inman and the nearby town of Inman, Kansas, were named for him. He was on the board of directors of the Kansas Historical Society.