JOHN W. KENT
A
native of Illinois, John W. Kent was brought to Jackson
township, Lucas county, in March, 1869, when two years of age,
and here he has since resided, attaining to prosperity and
becoming one of the foremost agriculturists of his district,
now owning three hundred and thirty acres of fertile land on
sections 20, 21 and 17, Jackson township, all under high
cultivation and well improved.
Born in Maywood, Cook county, Illinois, on March 9,
1867, John W. Kent, is a son of William and Anna (Wherrett)
Kent, natives of England, the former of whom passed away in
Jackson township while the latter still resides in Lucas,
Iowa. In the
family were two sons: Charles,
born in Salem, Ohio, and now a resident of Jackson township;
and John W. of this review.
In
March, 1869, Mr. and Mrs. William Kent settled in Jackson
township, taking up land, the father following the occupation
of farming until his demise.
Our subject in the acquirement of his education
attended the common schools of the township and in his leisure
hours and vacations ably assisted his father in the work on
the home place, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the best
methods of agriculture.
As the years passed prosperity came to him as a result
of his incessant labors, his natural ability, good judgment
and perseverance, and he now owns a splendid farm, comprising
three hundred and thirty acres, unusually well improved with
barns and outbuildings and a comfortable residence. His progressiveness
is further shown by the fact that he has a private electric
plant. Besides
general farming he gives a good deal of attention to
stock-raising, specializing in Hereford cattle, of which he
has a fine herd. Enterprising
and up-to-date, he follows the latest methods and his property
stands today as a proof of their efficacy and a monument to
his industry.
On March 4, 1888, Mr. Kent was united in marriage to Miss Addie Thomas, and to this union was born one daughter, Ethel, the date of whose birth was February 18, 1889, and who is married and resides in Ward, Iowa. On November 19, 1891, Mr. Kent was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Dora (Carson) McLaughlin, who was born in Clarke county, Iowa, on May 9, 1866, a widow of John McLaughlin, who died September 19, 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin one child was born, William Otis, whose birth occurred December 22, 1886. Her parents, A. C. Chame and Sarah (Abrams) Carson, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, were among the earliest settlers of Clarke county. The father still resides in Woodburn, Iowa, but the mother passed away in 1904 near that place. In their family were twelve children, of whom nine are living: John, residing near Woodburn, Iowa; Mrs. Elizabeth Black, of Des Moines; Thomas, a resident of North Dakota; Mrs. John W. Kent; Harry, who makes his home near Woodburn, Iowa; Mrs. Martha Kaufman, of Greenfield, Iowa; Byron W., residing in South Dakota; Alta, who makes her home near Woodburn; and Mrs. Elsie Heston, who makes her home near that city. All of their living children were born and reared in Clarke county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Kent gave practical evidence of their kindness of heart and in the care which they bestowed upon Velma Carson, an orphan child, whom they took when she was one year old and whom they reared and educated. She remained with them until her marriage. She is now the wife of Mr. Noah Baker, who is an employee of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and they make their home at Creston, Iowa.
Politically Mr. Kent is a republican, giving his steadfast adherence to the measures and candidates of that organization. A public-spirited man who takes an interest in his locality, he has for six years, or two terms, served as a member of the board of supervisors of Lucas county and has done efficient service in that connection. His religious father is that of the Baptist church, and fraternally he is a member of Good Shepherd Lodge, No. 414, A. F. & A. M., of Lucas, and also of the Yeomen, while formerly he was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. A self-made and conspicuously successful agriculturist, Mr. Kent enjoys the esteem and respect of his follows, not only for having wrought out for himself a substantial position, but on account of the qualities of his character which have made his success possible, and on account of the work he has done on behalf of promoting general advancement.