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- ARTHUR C. KENT, manufacturer, of Janesville, was born in
- Canada, on the line between that country and the State of
New York, Sept. 1, 1837, and is the son of Cartwright and Caroline
M. (SMITH) KENT, both of whom were natives of England, the former
born in Lincolnshire, and the latter in London. They came to
America in 1827, and settled in Canada.
- The subject of this sketch received his primary education
in the public
- schools, after which he attended Magill College, in Montreal
Canada. In the spring of 1853 he engaged as a clerk in the International
Hotel, Niagara Falls, and there remained three years. In 1856
he went to Chicago, where he found employment with the Lake Shore
& Michigan Southern Railroad in the ticket office. In 1859
he went to Denver, Col., as a member of the Original Chicago
Mining Company, where he remained one year, engaged in mining.
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- Returning to Chicago, he remained there but a short time,
and then went to London, Canada, where he was engaged in distilling
for one year. St. Louis, Mo. was his next place of residence.
He there engaged in the slate and marble business for a short
time, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence to Lexington,
Ky., where he engaged in the same line of business.
- While Mr. KENT was in Lexington the Rebellion commenced,
and he came North to Wisconsin,
- locating at Janesville. Believing in the righteousness of
the Union cause, on the 6th day of November, 1861, he enlisted
as a private in Company E, 3d Wisconsin Cavalry, for three years'
service. He was mustered in at Janesville Nov. 27, and soon after
was sent to the front. On the 6th day of January, 1862, he was
appointed Sergeant, and Aug. 13 following was commissioned Second
Lieutenant, and served as such until Dec. 2, 1862, when he was
commissioned First Lieutenant. On the 13th day of June, 1863,
he resigned, and returned to Janesville, which has since been
his home.
- On returning to Janesville Lieut. KENT engaged in the manufacture
of high wines and vinegar, in
- which business he continued until 1877, when, having patented
his corn-planter, which he christened "The Triumph,"
he began its manufacture. Subsequently he added to his business
the manufacture of fanning-mills, clothes-wringers, steel-frame
pulleys and imitation cigar-box lumber. At the present time,
in the spring of 1889, he employs on an average twenty-five men,
his sales amounting to about $40,000 annually.
- Mr. KENT was united in marriage Oct. 23, 1866, with Miss
Hannah M. LIDDLE, a native of
- Canada and daughter of Frazier and Catherine LIDDLE. Three
children were born unto them, all of whom died in infancy.
- Few men are more enterprising than the subject of this sketch,
who never finds time to be idle.
- On all questions pertaining to the welfare of his adopted
city he takes front rank, always willing to contribute to its
material advancement. Politically he is an independent. Religiously
he is a member of the Episcopal Church, of which body his wife
is also a member. Both are highly esteemed wherever known. A
fine portrait of Mr. KENT is shown upon the opposite page.
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-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 523; lithograph from same
book.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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