Mifflin Kenedy

Mifflin Kenedy (1818–1895) was a rancher, steamboat operator, and investor who settled in Texas. He began his steamboating career on the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri Rivers. He then went to Texas and northern Mexico, where he helped get many steamboats to the Rio Grande area during the First Cortina War (1859–1860). Using the Corvette, he transported General Zachary Taylor and his soldiers on the Rio Grande and then overland to Camargo, Mexico. He became successful during the Civil War when he transported goods along the Rio Grande. Kenedy operated ranches and invested in railroads in Texas, some of them in partnership with Richard King. He was among the first ranchers to fence in his ranches, starting with the 36-miles of fencing around Laureles Ranch. Kenedy was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners. Early life and career Kenedy was born on June 8, 1818, at Downington in Chester County, Pennsylvania, to Sarah (Starr) and John Kenedy, who were Quakers and descendants of Irish immigrants. The Kenedy immigrant arrived with Lord Baltimore at the Maryland Colony. The maternal line descends from French Huguenots. He first attended schools in Chester County and then was educated at Jonathan Gause's Quaker boarding school. Kenedy began teaching school at the age of 15 and again several years later in Coatsville, Pennsylvania. Between the two teaching positions, he was a cabin boy on a ship destined for Calcutta, India named the Star of Philadelphia. He left for India on April 4, 1834, and returned in January 1836. Career