William H. Kendrick

William H. Kendrick (c. 1822 – 1901) known as Captain Bill Kendrick was a soldier, state senator, pioneer and lecturer in Florida. One obituary referred to him as "the original Florida cracker" Kendrick, Florida is named for him. and was present at the capture of Osceola. He once lived in the "White House" plantation just north of Dade City. He was involved in a land dispute.

He also fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War and was at the Battle of Olustee. In 1880, he discovered the phosphate deposits in the Bone Valley region, a key moment in the economic history of the region.

His father James came from Georgia and fought in the War of 1812. "Tat"'s son William was a contractor who laid the first brick in Tampa, and constructed the Old Hillsborough County Courthouse. His sister Emily married William Spencer, who was Hillsborough County sheriff during the Civil War, and the father-in-law of W. B. Henderson and Henry L. Mitchell. and traveled the state recounting tales. He died in Jacksonville.