Biographical Sketch of A. D. Kent - Andrew County, Missouri

>From "History of Missouri, Andrew & DeKalb County" Published 1888

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Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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A. D. Kent, a citizen of Platte Township, Andrew County, MO., was born
in Buchanan County, MO., May 5, 1842.  He is the son of Joseph B. and
Elizabeth (Staley) Kent.  Joseph B. was born in Ross County, OH., on
February 14, 1806, and is the son of William and Sarah (Perrin) Kent.
William was born in Old Town, MD., October 3, 1763.  He was the son of
Absalom and Nancy Kent.  Absalom was a native of England, and was an
early immigrant to America.  He settled in Maryland, where he was 
killed by the Indians, when William was only two years old.  Joseph B.
is a farmer by vocation, and now resides in Rosendale, MO., in his
eighty-second year.  His wife was born in Botetourt County, VA., in 
1809.  She died in Ohio in 1844.  Our subject was reared on the farm,
and received a common-school education in the schools of Buchanan 
County, MO.  In 1858 he went to Northeast Kansas, where he engaged in
farming till 1860, in which year he made a trip to Denver, CO., and
back, as a teamster.  After he returned he engaged in farming till 1863,
when he went a second time to Denver.  Then as wagon-master for W. W.
Noland, a banker and commission merchant, he conducted an ox-train to
Virginia City, starting April 14, 1863, and landing at that place June
27, 1863.  This was the first train that ever went direct to Virginia
City, which at that time was no more than the pitched tents of miners
and emigrants.  In the fall of 1865 he began mining in Alder Gulch, at
the German Barr.  He was thus engaged for one season, and afterward, 
until the fall of 1867, he followed various occupations.  He constructed
a fleet of Mackinaw boats at Cannon's Ferry (Montana) on the Missouri
River, and on the 25th of November, his fleet freighted with passengers
landed at St. Joseph, MO.  From there he went to Andrew County, where
he has since engaged in farming and stock raising.  He has a well im-
proved farm of 320 acres, and is one of the most extensive stock raisers
of his county, especially of fine horses.  On September 7, 1870, he was
united in marriage with Mary E. Bedford, who was born in Andrew County,
MO., on September 4, 1852.  She is the daughter of A. M. and Mary
(Selecman) Bedford.  A daughter and son have blessed their union:
Mattie, born July 4, 1871, and Charles, born May 4, 1876.