Echoes From The Attic and Poems, Kent Home, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Don Johnson, Jan. 2001
Typed by Belford Carver
Written by by Edna F. Campbell
Copyrighted by Edna F. Campbell
With special thanks to her family for permission to use her works.

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STATELY KENT HOME IN FLUKER HAS HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The pretentious three-story Kent family residence, now the home of Dr. and Mrs. 
George Milford Scarle, has been the mecca for social events of prominence, 
weddings and family gatherings since the early days of Fluker.  The old home was 
built by Richard Kent, a native of Kentwood, born in 1871, son of James Fluker 
and Deliah (Amacker) Kent and a grandson of Amos Kent, founder of the town of 
Kentwood.  His interests were in merchandising, banking, lumbering and farming.  
His name was synonymous with the business fields and world

The home came into being in the 19th century.  Kent was married to Miss Sunsan 
Freiller, daughter of Capt. And Mrs. John Freiller, and they were the parents of 
seven children.

Included are Louise, Mrs. Thomas Preston Field; Thomas W., married to Camilla 
Weishaar; Warren Douglas, married to Ione Musson; Evenlyn, married to Dr. L. L. 
Hale, of Madison, Wis., now president of University of Florida, Gainsville; 
Isabelle, married to Dr. George M. Scarle, and R. A. Kent Jr., married to Ursula 
Compton, of Alexandria, and a son, Earl, deceased.

The handsome commodious residence holds many notes of fond memory and sentiments 
for the sons and daughters and their families.  The most recently held nuptial 
event was the marriage of Isabelle Scarle to Frank Gerald Eckholdt, daughter of 
Dr. and Mrs. Scarle, present owners of the old home.

Reminiscences began with the recordings when Richard A. Kent who had lost his 
father at the age of 15 began in a small way a brick and lumber manufacturing in 
Fluker at the age of 17.  The 1888 beginning flourished and the settlement hat had 
been a wilderness was developed and was named in honor of Kent's father.

Williamsburg architectural trends are noted in the structure of the pretentious 
three story house, where a large gable and an interesting octagon shaped cupola 
are distinguishing features.  The cupola is a completely finished section with 
stained glass windows. Green shutters frame the windows on the first two stories 
of the house and bannister railings and lattice work are additions of interest.

The interior walls are in natural finish with no wall papering.  Of special 
interest in the dining area is a hand painted wall mural, the work of an artist 
commissioned by Mr. Kent in the 19th century.  Another room on the second floor 
also features the murals.  Period and heirloom furnishings are used in keeping 
with the background setting.

Mrs. George M. Scarle, now the owner of the home, has had the house for her home 
during a lifetime and returned to live here with her husband and children in 1955 
where they have continued to reside. 

Tradition and sentiment mark the old home where family weddings have been 
solemnized.  Mrs. Thomas Preston Field, (Louise) was married in a ceremony in the 
cupola room; while others who repeated vows in the home or had wedding receptions 
there were Isabelle (Mrs. Scarle); Evelyn, (Mrs. Hale); Thomas W.; and Douglas.

(From ECHOES FROM THE ATTIC, IV, 1969, by Edna Campbell)