My Genealogy Hound

JUDGE LEWIS H. KENT, the subject of this sketch, is a pioneer settler of Harlan county, a leading business man of the town of Orleans, and one of the best known citizens in the Republican valley. Coming to Nebraska when a young man, fresh from his books, ambitious, full of enthusiasm and with a boundless confidence in the future of the country, he threw himself at once into the current of events, and the part he has taken in the development of the state of his adoption is well attested by the manifold interests with which his name is associated as well as by the esteem in which he is held by those who know of him and his labors. Judge Kent’s biography can not fail to interest the readers of this volume, and to many young men who are just starting on the road over which he has come thus far so successfully it will afford matter for encouragement.

Judge Kent is a descendant of the New Jersey family of Kents, there being, according to tradition, two branches of the family — one in New York and one in New Jersey, originating from brothers, natives of England, who settled in this country in colonial times. His father, John Kent, was born in New Jersey in 1816, moved West when a young man and settled in Illinois, where he has since lived, being a resident now of the town of Morrison. He has spent his life in the peaceful pursuit of agriculture, living the steady, sober, industrious, useful life common to his calling.

Judge Kent’s mother was a native of New York State. She was born in 1818 and died at Morrison, Ill., in 1876. She bore the maiden name of Mary Jeffries. She was a pious, good woman, who, like all good mothers, centered her love and her affections on her home and family.

Judge Kent is the fifth of a family of six children. He was born in the town of Morrison, Whiteside county, Ill., June 11, 1854. He was reared on his father’s farm near that place, and received his preliminary education in the district schools of Whiteside county. He took a collegiate course in Fulton College at Fulton, Ill., graduating in 1871. He read law with Frank Ramsey at Morrison, Ill., and spent some time acquainting himself with the detail of office work and in getting something of a practical knowledge of the preparation and management of cases. Entering the law department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, he graduated from there in 1876 and came at once to Nebraska, settling in Nebraska City, Otoe county, for the practice of his profession. A year later he moved to Orleans, Harlan county, which he decided to make his future home and where he has since lived. It is hardly necessary to say that the town of Orleans was a mere trading point at that time. The traditional dug-out with its roof of sod rose here and there over the cheerless prairie, while the more pretentious frame “shack” had not made its appearance except in the few straggling towns. With a keen appreciation of his advantages and unbounded confidence in the future of the country, he set about to acquire as much hind as possible while it was cheap. He also practiced his profession in the local courts and before the United States land office, then at Bloomington, in Franklin county. In 1879 he was elected judge of the Harlan county court, and was re-elected two terms, serving till 1885. In February, 1885, he started the Bank of Orleans, with which he is still connected, and which he practically controls. In June, 1889, he assisted in organizing the Orleans Flour and Oatmeal Milling Company, taking a large share of the stock and becoming secretary and treasurer. He has been a member of the school board of the town of Orleans for years, and has taken an active interest not only in school matters but in all matters of public concern. Judge Kent is a hard worker. He believes in the gospel of labor — the philosophy of things done — and he has brought to the discharge of his duties as a citizen and as a public official the same direct and business-like methods which he has practiced in the management of his own affairs. His support of any enterprise is a guarantee of its success. Besides his other interests he owns several thousand acres of land lying in the Republican valley, and is actively identified with the farming and stock interests of his section. And this has all been made in the last twelve or fourteen years. Hard work and good management are the secret of it all.

Judge Kent married in 1883, the lady whom he selected for a life partner being Miss Eva L. Coats, of Boscobel, Grant county, Wis. In his pleasant home in Orleans he finds relaxation from his many labors and responsibilities and he is never so happy as when surrounded by his many friends, by whom he is greatly respected and admired.