Mifflin Kenedy

Mifflin Kenedy (June 8, 1818 – March 14, 1895) was an American businessman and rancher. 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, in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, to Sarah (Starr) and John Kenedy, who were Quakers Kenedy began teaching school at age 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.

Career Steamboat and trade operations Kenedy began working as a clerk on steamers in 1836. He then began to work as acting captain on steamboats on the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri Rivers for six years. He then held the same positions on the Champion, along the Chattahoochee and Apalachicola Rivers and the Gulf Coast from 1842 to 1846. While piloting the Champion, he stopped for repairs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he met John Saunders, a major during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). Saunders arranged for boats to transport goods for the army along the Rio Grande. Kenedy was then employed to take the Corvette to New Orleans.

War time Kenedy and E. Jeff Kenedy were among the Brownsville residents who aided in the pursuit of Juan Cortina after he attacked Brownsville in 1859. He enlisted to fight against Juan Cortina during the First Cortina War (1859–1860). Kenedy served under Samuel P. Heintzelman as captain of Company A.

Ranching Kenedy began sheep ranching near El Sal del Rey in Hidalgo County, having 10,000 Merino sheep in 1854. He lost a number of sheep on the journey from Pennsylvania to Texas and then lost 75% of the herd before he sold the remaining flock to John McClain in 1856. in Corpus Christi on March 14, 1895, aged 76, and was buried at Brownsville, He became president of the Kenedy Pasture Company. Kenedy was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners in 1960. There is a legend that Kenedy's daughter, Sarita Kenedy, helped gain Gregorio Cortez's release from prison. There is no evidence to support this story, but the Kenedys were known to help Texas-Mexicans. Her married name was Sarah Spohn.