News – Sheridan Media
[[{“value”:”
One hundred and nine years ago this month, John B. Kendrick of Sheridan, was inauguration as the ninth Governor of the State of Wyoming. Kendrick lived and ranched in and around Sheridan for many years.
He arrived in Wyoming Territory in 1879, working as a trail hand, and later purchased land and cows and began his own ranch. Soon, he owned three large ranches, the OW, the LX Bar, and the K Ranch.
His rags to riches story is told below, but first, his inauguration.
This from the Carbon County Journal January 8, 1915 – Inauguration of Gov. Kendrick Biggest Affair of Kind Ever Seen in Cheyenne. Monday was a gala day in Cheyenne. On that day John B Kendrick and the other state offices elected at the last election were inaugurated, and the greatest crowd ever seen at an inauguration was present and throughout the entire program. Mayor LaFontaine made the opening address and was followed by the retiring governor Joseph M. Carey who thanked the people for the uniform kindness shown him during his four years as governor.
John B. Kendrick was the next speaker, and he was cheered heartily as he stepped forward to make his address, which proved to be one of the best efforts of that gentleman and went straight to the hearts of his hearers.
He spoke briefly of his aims for tbe betterment of the state and asked for the cooperation of all of the people and he desired to be governor to all the people and could only make a successful record if the people were with him in his efforts. After Mr. Kendrick had taken the oath the other state officers were also sworn in F. L. Houx as secretary of state ,H. B. Gates as treasurer, Robert Forsyth as auditor, Edith K. O. Clark as superintendent of public instruction. Judge Scott as supreme justice, and Judges Tidball and Metz as district judges. After the oaths had been administered the populaces swarmed to the steps of the capital and shook hands with the new officers and wished them success.
In the evening the most brilliant ball ever seen in the capital was given and the building was jammed to the doors, everyone in the city being anxious to participate and congratulate the newly made officers. Dancing was kept up until nearly four o’clock in the morning and there were many here were loath to depart then as they were having too good a time. People who had not danced for years were on the floor and were having the biggest sort of a time. The induction of Governor Kendrick into his office was under most favorable and auspicious circumstances, and if the members of the legislature will meet him halfway his administration promises to be a very useful and beneficial one.
Kendrick was well known in Sheridan before he became governor. Here is his story.
The Sheridan Enterprise, October 11, 19I4 – John B. Kendrick: A Story of Human Interest —By an Old Cheyenne Friend. The story of Joan Kendrick’s life is a story of gripping human in interest.
A wise philosopher has said, “The proper study of mankind is man. Let us study the life of a true man.”
John Benjamin Kendrick at an early age became orphaned. and drifted around among relatives and friends in the pioneer sections of Texas, working hard for his living and having few chances to attend school. In 1879 when twenty years of age, he came to Wyoming over the famous Texas cattle trail and became a Wyoming cowboy.
The Wyoming Cowboy
The plains and mountains of Wyoming with their inspiring environment presented new vistas to his boyish imagination and ambition. With his inborn genius for getting at the bottom of things he studied the situation and saw that the magnificent resources of the state offered great opportunities for a young man determined “to make good.”
The uncouth cowboy with his native skill as a rider, rope thrower and horse wrangling, realized his limitations and his lack of education the groundwork of true success. He determined to educate himself procured good school textbooks, which he studied while on the range at the campfire and in cabin, devoting his spare house whenever possible to his good purpose.
Today. John B. Kendrick is one of the best informed men on the public questions and all the problems pertaining to the interests and business affairs of Wyoming of any man in the state. His knowledge is not only technical, but is practical, as it has been gained by 30 years of experience and persistent application.
The story of the orphan boy’s rise to affluence, of his becoming the largest cattle owner in the state, and of his building up of other great business in the development of Wyoming, is interesting, but we propose to give here some side glimpses of the character of the man of the big heart and the big brain.
Kendrick served on the board of directors of First National Bank of Sheridan and was elected president of the institution as well.
The Sheridan Post, December 4, 1902
His story continues:
His Personal Character: Mr Kendrick is reticent when speaking of himself. He will not tell his best friends what he has been through, or what he has accomplished.
What we get of his personal life comes in fragments from his friends, neighbors and employees. They say he is as brave as a lion, tender as a child and generous to a fault.
Kendrick’s warmest friends are those who know him, and those who have known him longest are bound to him in the strongest ties. What truer test can ever be made of the man’s character? When the boy Kendrick come to Wyoming he made his first home in Laramie County. He worked first at the (Charles W.) Wulfjen ranch north of Cheyenne and soon became foreman of the outfit.
Later he located a ranch near Lusk and although he had no money, parties furnished him cattle on shares and in four years he cleaned up his to first big earnings, $11,000. He was made foreman of the big Converse Cattle Company outfit with headquarters near Manvllle. Converse, the principal owner was the wealthy Cheyenne banker for whom Converse County was named and Mr. Manville was his general manager, and the town of Manville was named for him.
This Mr. Kendrick was associated with pioneer cattlemen of Wyoming and is today well known to all the old cattlemen of the state.
Later, (The Converse cattle company) went out of business, Mr. Kendrick bought the business and continued to run it down to the present day. He afterwards bought large and improved ranches in northern Wyoming and greatly expanded his livestock business. These lands, although not purchased with a view of speculation, have increased wonderfully in value.
John married Eula Wulfjen, his boss’s daughter, on January 20, 1891. In 1895 they purchased property in Nielsen Heights in Sheridan for their future home, and in 1908 they began construction. He named his home, Trail End, signifying the end of his travels.
His Numerous Charities What he has done for Sheridan and its people in the way of quiet charities and public donation will never be fully known. He gave the city one of the finest parks in the state. (First named Pioneer Park, now Kendrick Park) It is safe to say the city would not part with it for $50,000 every year it increases its value. He has made contributions to the churches of Sheridan of all denominations.
Sometime ago a negro preacher went to Mr. Kendrick and told him his people wanted a church of their own, that there were enough colored folks, when brought together, to maintain their own organization. Mr Kendrick said. “You go out and collect what you can and then come to me and report how much you need.” When the negro reported he said they needed $50,000 more, Kendrick at once wrote him a check for that amount…..
One of the finest illustrations of Mr. Kendrick’s character is the way he treats his hired men. Mr. Jahn Donahue of Sheridan, who has worked for Mr. Kendrick for about 20 years says. “No more generous hearted man lives in Wyoming.”
Open Hearted Hospitality. Another characteristic trait of Mr Kendrick is his open-hearted western hospitality. Lodging and meals are free to the traveler and sojourner at all his numerous ranches He once discharged one of his best cooks for charging a stranger twenty-five cents for a meal. Thirty years ago any man could ride over the state of Wyoming without cost for his meals, lodging or feed for his horse. This practice of welcoming the stranger has long been abandoned among our ranchmen, but Mr. Kendrick still adheres to the old ideals of hospitality which he gained in his boyhood.
Helps Small Settlers. Many of our small settlers and cowmen have been started on a prosperous career by the help of John Kendrlck. They can be found in many sections of Wyoming from the Colorado line into Montana….
“He is one of those few men of whom no man ever speaks evil.”
Kendrick served for one term as Governor and was then elected as Wyoming’s State Senator 1917 until his death in 1933. In 1970, his home, Trail End was added to the National Register of Historic Places and in 1982 it was donated to the state of Wyoming for operation as a museum.
Today the magnificent mansion stands as a reminder of a man who came to Wyoming with nothing and became a successful rancher, businessman and politician.
“}]]
More Like this
Last modified: January 4, 2025