Ezra Kendall

Ezra Freemont Kendall (February 15, 1861 – January 23, 1910) was an American actor-comedian, humorist, playwright and author who was known for his depiction of typical New England Yankees. During his time in vaudeville Kendall was said to have been among the highest paid monologist in America.

Early life Ezra Freemont Kendall was born on a farm near Centerville, New York, to Ezra W. and Eliza R. (née Pratt) Kendall. The September following his birth, Kendall's father enlisted as a sergeant with Company D, 64th Infantry Regiment, New York and soon rose to lieutenant before losing his life during the Battle of Seven Pines.

Kendall left school at fourteen to work as a printer's assistant. At seventeen he traveled to New York City where he became a cub reporter on several newspapers and the youngest member of the New York Press Club. By nineteen or twenty he was touring with a theatre company playing walk-on rôles for free board and laundry service. Later Kendall replaced the troupe's property man at $4 a-week before making his professional stage debut as an English butler in Elliott Barnes' melodrama, Only a Farmer's Daughter.

Death Kendall suffered a stroke in mid-December 1909 while touring in Los Angeles with The Vinegar Buyer. He was forced to cancel his remaining tour dates and return to his home in Cleveland, Ohio. A month or so later he traveled to Indiana for a stay at the Martinsville Mineral Springs Hotel (also known as Martinsville Sanitarium) in the hope their mineral baths could help alleviate his condition. He died there a few days later. Kendall was survived by his wife of twenty-two years, the aforementioned Jennie Dunn, and six children. That December Kendall's widow was sued by his former management firm, Liebler and Co., who were attempting to recoup money lost after he became ill and failed to complete his tour. It is not known here whether or not this lawsuit was settled before Liebler fell into bankruptcy four years later.

Plays Weather Beaten Benson