Biographical Sketch of Thomas G. Brent, Jefferson County, Missouri

>From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and 
Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing 
Company, 1888.

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Thomas G. Brent, of Selma Hall or Kennett's Castle, on the banks of the
Mississippi River, in Plattin Township, Jefferson Co., Mo., was born at
Bayou Grost Tete, Louisiana, February 6, 1846 and is, therefore, but
little past the age of forty-two years.  While quite young he lost his
parents by death, after which he accompanied his grandmother to Floris-
sant Valley, St. Louis Co., Mo., where he grew to manhood, enjoying the
privileges of a good education.  This was principally obtained at the
University of the Jesuit Fathers, at St. Louis.  Subsequently he became
engaged in lead mining in Washington County, where he had moved, as a
member of the firm of Murphy, Shocker, Tyler & Co., continuing this 
business from 1869 to 1871.  June 5, 1872 he was united in marriage to
Miss Agnes L. Kennett, eldest daughter of the late Col. Ferdinand and
Julia (Deaderick) Kennett.  Mrs. Kennett's father was John Smith T., an
early pioneer in Missouri, and a noted character of the State.  Refer-
ence is made elsewhere to his settlement in this vicinity.  Col. Kenn-
ett was born in Falmouth, Pendleton Co., Ky., and when a young man came
to Missouri with his brothers, Mortimer and Luther M., the latter of 
whom served a term as mayor of St. Louis.  They located and operated 
the Granby Lead Mines, and also had large interests in the Washington
County lead mines, besides which they were engaged in merchandising. 
Col. Kennett was one of the principal stockholders and promoters of the
St. Louis shot tower.  He was a man of more than ordinary ability and
intelligence, generous and kind to those needing aid, ever ready to
assist in any good work, and, as a consequence, had hosts of friends.
In 1854 he began the construction of his magnificent home, known as
"Kennett's Castle," which he named "Selma Hall."  Four years were occu-
pied in its completion.  By his marriage to Miss Deaderick, five child-
ren were born: James W., engaged in mining out West; Mrs. Agnes L. 
Brent; Ferdinand B., journalist, and occupied in mining, residing at
San Francisco, Cal.; the late Dr. Pres. G., of De Soto; and Lotta G.,
wife of Hon. R. G. Frost, late congressman from the Eighth District of
Missouri.  Thomas G. Brent, the subject of this sketch, was the son of
Dr. John Carroll and Ann Grace Brent, both Kentuckians by birth.  The
former was a prominent physician and surgeon, and long resided at Bayou
Grost Tete, near Baton Rouge, La., where he and his wife died.  They
were members of the Catholic Church.  In their family were three sons
and five daughters, of whom two sons and two daughters survive: Robert,
clerk of Judge Dillon's court, at St. Louis; Annie, Mother Superior of
the Visitatioin Convent, St. Paul, Minn.; Eliza, wife of Judge William
S. Murphy, residing on their farm at the "Big Bend" on the Meramec 
River; and Thomas G.  Mrs. Brent was born in Washington County, Mo.,
and was educated at home.  She and her husband are faithful members of
the Catholic Church.  Mr. Brent is now engaged actively and success-
fully in farming and stock raising.  In the estimation of all with whom
he comes in contact he stands high, both for his personal worth and the
recognized influence he bears in the community.  He has always voted 
the Democratic party.

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