Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor

Page 530:

JOSIAH PILLOW KENT - Among the many fine farms for which Wheatfield Township is noted is that of our subject, a view of which is shown on another page of this volume and which has improvements of a high order. It is cultivated after the most approved modern methods, so as to bring rich returns to its owner, who carries on general farming, and deals quite extensively in stock, having his farm well supplied with standard cattle.

Mr. Kent is a native of this county, the city of Springfield being the place of his birth, and May 1, 1847, the date thereof. His parents, Jesse H. and Lydia A. (Walker) Kent, were among the early settlers of that city. His father was born in Ross County, Ohio, and his mother in Loudoun County, Va. Mr. Kent was a prominent citizen of the county and was quite active in securing the capitol site in Springfield. Perrin Kent, one of his relatives, was an early Government Surveyor of this section and his work forms the basis of the present divisions in McLean County. The father died in Springfield in 1886, at a venerable age, he being then seventy-seven years old. His wife died many years ago. They were the parents of five children, of whom two are living - Mrs. George W. Constant, of Illiopolis, and our subject.

He of whom we write passed his early life in Springfield, and was educated in its schools. He was of an active, roving disposition and when still quite young went to railroading on the Union Pacific. He finally made his way to San Francisco and there embarking on a ship, sailed down the western coast of the United States and Mexico, thence around the coast of South America, crossed the Pacific Ocean to the Chinese coast and from there returned to America. During this long voyage he stopped at various places, and was at length chosen ship's writer on the "Pensacola," a United States man-of-war. The exacting duties of that position he filled with great efficiency.

After Mr. Kent came back to this country he returned to the employ of the Union Pacific Rail Road Company for a short time and then joined Custer's command on an expedition as a scout. He had many exciting adventures with the Indians and at one time a arrow from the bow of a savage cut his mustache and took part of his teeth out. Again a bullet penetrated his leg below the knee, and he had other narrow escapes. After the close of his soldier life he mined successfully in Arizona and Mexico, but finally returned to Springfield and in 1885 purchased the valuable farm on which he now resides. It contains two hundred and fifty-two acres of soil of exceptional richness and fertility, and the buildings upon it are of a neat and substantial order. Mr. Kent raises fine crops and also good stock, paying much attention to that branch of agriculture.

Mr. Kent has been twice married. He had one son by his first marriage who is now living in Texas. The maiden name of the present wife of our subject was Victoria A. Murrell. She is a native of Kentucky and the daughter of a Baptist minister. Her wedded life with our subject has been gladdened by the birth of three children - Lena, Hallie and James. Mr. Kent is a man of wide experience, has a thorough knowledge of his calling and occupies a high place among his fellow agriculturists in this community. He possesses a keen, intelligent mind and as he kept his eyes open during his many travels he is possessed of a large fund of information and talks interestingly about what he has seen when he is questioned about his journeys and experience as a sailor and a solider. He is a strong Republican in politics and is considered one of our best citizens.