The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-06-18
MEMORIAL
1914
1870
Hon. Charles Brainerd Kent

Just fallen upon US, our hearts touched
by tender "reminiscences Of him for
whom life's long warfare is ended, !
would by these lines honor the name
and memory Of Charles b. Kent.
No man can live for seventy-four
years in a community, as he did, so
identify himself with its agricultural,
educational, social, political and reli-
gious life, and his death not touch
with sadness the multitude that knew
him.
When the news came from Albany
on the morning Of June sth, that a
messenger from the Eternal World
had summoned this most honored and
widely known fellow townsman and
the report fastened on here and there
through the town where his childhood
and manhood had been spent, deep
and genuine grief rose in the hearts
of all alike that gave expression to
the respect that was his due.
The illness that terminated fatally
manifested itself while he was attend
ing the opening of County Court at
Manchester on June End Timely as
sistance was rendered by Deputy
Sheriff Charles Norcross, who OBJ
tanned a physician and summoned
members Of the family. Judge Kent
was conveyed to his home in Dorset
in the car of his son Clifton and at
tended by DR.. L. J. Callahan. Not
rallying, DR.. Reynolds Of Albany, a
close friend of the Kent's, was called
in counsel, and it was decided to re-
move Mr.. Kent to the City Hospital
at Albany, to which place his young
est son Prentiss accompanied him.
with nurse and physician on Thursday.
The following day Mrs. Kent was call
ed there owing to his critical condi-
ton, and left at noon with his eldest
son. Mr.. Kent's death occurred on
Monday of acute myocarditis (infla-
nation of the heart) following compli-
cations. The remains were brought
to his late home being escorted by
several thoughtful friends who had
assembled at Manchester Depot.
The funeral was conducted at the
residence in the presence of over 300
people, friends, neighbors and rela-
tives. The procession to the ceme-
terry is said to have been the longest
ever witnessed in Dorset, there being
seventy-fve conveyances including
autos. Rev. w. L. Haven and Rev.
G. H. Gilbert, D. D., offered prayer
and spoke words of appreciation, and
special choir rendered the hymns
abide With Me" and "God Our Help
in Ages Past. The singers were
Mesdames Liddle, Matson, and Miss
Harriet Holley,and Messrs VIM. Kent,
VIM. Holley and VIM. Roberts. The
bearers were Messrs. W. j. Holley,
E. H. West, R. M. Campbell, W. E.
Kent, Charles Norcross and Dr.. !.
C. Liddle.
Charles B. Kent was born in Dorset
January 26th, 1910, the son of Uriel
Smith and Lucretia Sykes Kent, a
direct descendent of Deacon Cephas
Kent, inn keeper of historic fame, who
came to Dorset to reside in 177C, and
whose ten children all lived and died
here. Cephas Kent was one of the
early settlers of the town, also the
first town representative s~om this
Mace and was town treasurer for five
years previous to 1882.
After his student life at Burr and
Burton Seminary the subject of this
outline taught school both here and
in Rupert, and number of his pupils
still reside in these places. Others
now living on the Pacific coast have
continued life long correspondence
with their previous teacher. Besides
day school instructor he was a faith
full Sunday school teacher and retain
ed the friendship of a number of these
pupils to his latest days. In 1858
he identified himself as member of
the Congregational Church where his
familiar form and voice will be sadly
missed. Whenever possible the Sab
bath found him in his accustomed pew.
For number of years he was choir
leader and Mrs. Kent was organist.
There come to me instances unknown
to many of his spirit of helpfulness to
those in trouble, of mercy to the un-
fortunate, of compassion for the needy
which reveal his christian charity.
In bushes life Mr. Kent was Nom
Der of the firm of S. F. Prince & Co.,
who had large marble interests here,
and he was Vice-Prsident of the COM
pany at the time when it was forced
into bankruptcy After customary
legal proceedings this firm paid dollar
for dollar. Even yet friends are Gag
err to relate how Charles B. Kent lent
untiring energy to his own disadvan-
tage, in restoring property to retain
ers who were for a, time in danger of
losing their homes but for his efforts.
1t was often said GO to Mr.. Kent, he
will find way to help you"
He was a public spirited citizen and
accepted many, prominent positions,
among them school commissioner,
health officer, and GROWING his life's
work he was Assistant Judge Of the
County Court for six years lacking
this June session.
In all relations of life he was cour-
teous, liberal and warm hearted. 1t
was characteristic Of him that on his
last day Of activity he gathered sew