Editing Obediah Kendall (section)

==Early Life and Career==

Obediah Kendall was born in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, in 1782. A pioneering figure in the transportation industry, Brother Kendall dedicated many years to the mail-coach line of stages operating between Boston, Burlington, and Montreal. From 1808 to 1814, during the height of the War of 1812, the demand for his services was particularly high. He transported large sums of specie (coin money) from Montreal to Boston to purchase cotton and provisions, returning with funds to buy government bills discounted at 20 percent. Tasked with the safe conveyance of this wealth, Kendall carried arms and displayed integrity and discretion in handling each high-stakes journey.

By the end of the war, Kendall had accumulated a significant fortune, estimated at $50,000—a large sum for the time—through his work in the staging business. However, his success drew competition. Rival companies attempted to challenge his well-established routes by reducing fares, leading to a fierce competition. While Kendall ultimately prevailed, the struggle left his business financially weakened.