"BELA MARSH KENT, one of Putnam's self-made men and for years its representative manufacturer, born March 16, 1826, at Attleboro, Mass., died at his home in Putnam, Sept. 29, 1902. Ezra Keith Kent, grandfather of Bela Marsh Kent, was born Sept. 26, 1767, and lived at one time in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.
"Thomas Viall Kent, son of Ezra Keith, and father of Bela Marsh, was born April 19, 1801, in Seekonk, Mass. By occupation he was a cabinet maker...
"Bela Marsh Kent was born March 16, 1826, and when he was but seven years of age, his parents removed from Attleboro, to Northbridge, Mass., where he attended the district schools, finishing his education with one term at the North Wilbraham Academy, and leaving school at the age of nineteen years. From the age of seven he worked in the cotton mill when he was not at school, the entire time devoted to the latter scarcely amounting to two years, and after he decided that his school life was ended, he entered the cotton mill at Thorndyke (town of Palmer) learning the carding trade, and he remained there until 1851. When twenty-five years of age, he embarked in butchering for six months, then removed to Windsor, Conn., and went to work in a sash and blind factory, owned by his brother Allin Viall Kent, and there remained for another six months. His next location was at Thompsonville, Conn., where he worked in a sash and blind factory for Elliott Hamilton, for three years. At the expiration of this time, believing he could better himself, Mr. Kent located at Hampton (then South Wilbraham), Mass., and for three additional years worked in the employ of Marcus Beebe, in a plow factory, making wooden plows by hand for the southern trade. Inducements being held out to him by William Johnson, at Westfield, Mass., Mr. Kent next entered his employ and worked in his organ factory at that place for several months, but not liking the business, went to Somers, Conn., establishing a sash and blind factory and also engaged in farming, remaining in this locality for one year. After this experience, he removed to East Longmeadow, Mass., and worked in the Springfield Armory on gun barrels, in what is known as the "water shops," where he remained about three years, during the greater part of the war, leaving in 1865 to go to Warren, Mass., where he was employed working on tape looms, and when, at the expiration of one year, the business was removed to Worcester, Mass., he went with the firm, and remained there two and one-half years. His next change was to Webster, Mass., and at that place he was in the employ of Charles Palmer in his sash and blind factory, but after three years he located in Putnam, in May, 1872, purchasing the wood-turning business of Horatio Reed, on the Quinebaug river, a very small plant at that time. Subsequently he made many improvements and enlarged his fields of operation until he occupied the entire building and gave employment to from ten to twelve men. His output included sash, blinds and all kinds of builders' finishings. So thoroughly understanding every detail of this line of work, and having a natural inclination for it, he was enabled to take advantage of every opportunity offered and was very successful. In January, 1900, however, he felt that he had discharged his duty, and sold his business to his sons, who continue it upon the old lines, the same policy of strict honesty, uprightness of dealing and excellence of workmanship being followed out by the new firm. Mr. Kent was a consistent member of the Advent Christian Church of Putnam, of which he served as deacon for over twenty years, and also as treasurer, and of which Mrs. Kent is also a member. When occasion demanded, Mr. Kent cast his vote for the candidates of the Republican party, but his business so fully absorbed his time and attention that he never took an active part in politics. All his sympathies were in accordance with temperance principles and his life testified to his sincerity.
"On Sept. 20, 1849, Mr. Kent was married (first) to Adelia D. Bliss, born Sept. 24, 1826, a native on Monson, Mass., daughter of Austin and Eunice (Pease) Bliss, who died June 5, 1869, in Webster, Mass. The children were as follows: Ella Minerva, Clarence Marsh, Nellie Jane, Ernest Bliss, Cora Adelia.
"Ella Minerva Kent was born July 11, 1850, in Palmer, Mass., and died in Enfield, Conn., Sept. 4, 1854....
"On Oct 18, 1871, Bela M. Kent was married (second) to Almeda (Doman) Buck, widow of Barney Buck, and daughter of John G. and Diana (Tyler) Coman, of Thompson, Conn. No children were born of the second marriage.
"Early in life Mr. Kent had a hard struggle to overcome adverse circumstances, and at times he seemed almost vanquished, but through it all he displayed a sturdy uprightness of purpose and independence of spirit, which in the end conquered....In 1875, Mr. Kent built his very comfortable home, located about one mile from the centre of Putnam, and here he enjoyed the well-earned rest which comes after a life of toil, discouragements and successes, happy in the love of his devoted wife and children, in all of whom he took an honest pride."
--Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties Connecticut Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and of Many of the Early Settled Families, Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1903, pp. 505-506.
"Thomas Viall Kent, son of Ezra Keith, and father of Bela Marsh, was born April 19, 1801, in Seekonk, Mass. By occupation he was a cabinet maker...
"Bela Marsh Kent was born March 16, 1826, and when he was but seven years of age, his parents removed from Attleboro, to Northbridge, Mass., where he attended the district schools, finishing his education with one term at the North Wilbraham Academy, and leaving school at the age of nineteen years. From the age of seven he worked in the cotton mill when he was not at school, the entire time devoted to the latter scarcely amounting to two years, and after he decided that his school life was ended, he entered the cotton mill at Thorndyke (town of Palmer) learning the carding trade, and he remained there until 1851. When twenty-five years of age, he embarked in butchering for six months, then removed to Windsor, Conn., and went to work in a sash and blind factory, owned by his brother Allin Viall Kent, and there remained for another six months. His next location was at Thompsonville, Conn., where he worked in a sash and blind factory for Elliott Hamilton, for three years. At the expiration of this time, believing he could better himself, Mr. Kent located at Hampton (then South Wilbraham), Mass., and for three additional years worked in the employ of Marcus Beebe, in a plow factory, making wooden plows by hand for the southern trade. Inducements being held out to him by William Johnson, at Westfield, Mass., Mr. Kent next entered his employ and worked in his organ factory at that place for several months, but not liking the business, went to Somers, Conn., establishing a sash and blind factory and also engaged in farming, remaining in this locality for one year. After this experience, he removed to East Longmeadow, Mass., and worked in the Springfield Armory on gun barrels, in what is known as the "water shops," where he remained about three years, during the greater part of the war, leaving in 1865 to go to Warren, Mass., where he was employed working on tape looms, and when, at the expiration of one year, the business was removed to Worcester, Mass., he went with the firm, and remained there two and one-half years. His next change was to Webster, Mass., and at that place he was in the employ of Charles Palmer in his sash and blind factory, but after three years he located in Putnam, in May, 1872, purchasing the wood-turning business of Horatio Reed, on the Quinebaug river, a very small plant at that time. Subsequently he made many improvements and enlarged his fields of operation until he occupied the entire building and gave employment to from ten to twelve men. His output included sash, blinds and all kinds of builders' finishings. So thoroughly understanding every detail of this line of work, and having a natural inclination for it, he was enabled to take advantage of every opportunity offered and was very successful. In January, 1900, however, he felt that he had discharged his duty, and sold his business to his sons, who continue it upon the old lines, the same policy of strict honesty, uprightness of dealing and excellence of workmanship being followed out by the new firm. Mr. Kent was a consistent member of the Advent Christian Church of Putnam, of which he served as deacon for over twenty years, and also as treasurer, and of which Mrs. Kent is also a member. When occasion demanded, Mr. Kent cast his vote for the candidates of the Republican party, but his business so fully absorbed his time and attention that he never took an active part in politics. All his sympathies were in accordance with temperance principles and his life testified to his sincerity.
"On Sept. 20, 1849, Mr. Kent was married (first) to Adelia D. Bliss, born Sept. 24, 1826, a native on Monson, Mass., daughter of Austin and Eunice (Pease) Bliss, who died June 5, 1869, in Webster, Mass. The children were as follows: Ella Minerva, Clarence Marsh, Nellie Jane, Ernest Bliss, Cora Adelia.
"Ella Minerva Kent was born July 11, 1850, in Palmer, Mass., and died in Enfield, Conn., Sept. 4, 1854....
"On Oct 18, 1871, Bela M. Kent was married (second) to Almeda (Doman) Buck, widow of Barney Buck, and daughter of John G. and Diana (Tyler) Coman, of Thompson, Conn. No children were born of the second marriage.
"Early in life Mr. Kent had a hard struggle to overcome adverse circumstances, and at times he seemed almost vanquished, but through it all he displayed a sturdy uprightness of purpose and independence of spirit, which in the end conquered....In 1875, Mr. Kent built his very comfortable home, located about one mile from the centre of Putnam, and here he enjoyed the well-earned rest which comes after a life of toil, discouragements and successes, happy in the love of his devoted wife and children, in all of whom he took an honest pride."
--Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties Connecticut Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and of Many of the Early Settled Families, Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1903, pp. 505-506.
"BELA MARSH KENT, one of Putnam's self-made men and for years its representative manufacturer, born March 16, 1826, at Attleboro, Mass., died at his home in Putnam, Sept. 29, 1902. Ezra Keith Kent, grandfather of Bela Marsh Kent, was born Sept. 26, 1767, and lived at one time in Rehoboth, Massachusetts.
"Thomas Viall Kent, son of Ezra Keith, and father of Bela Marsh, was born April 19, 1801, in Seekonk, Mass. By occupation he was a cabinet maker...
"Bela Marsh Kent was born March 16, 1826, and when he was but seven years of age, his parents removed from Attleboro, to Northbridge, Mass., where he attended the district schools, finishing his education with one term at the North Wilbraham Academy, and leaving school at the age of nineteen years. From the age of seven he worked in the cotton mill when he was not at school, the entire time devoted to the latter scarcely amounting to two years, and after he decided that his school life was ended, he entered the cotton mill at Thorndyke (town of Palmer) learning the carding trade, and he remained there until 1851. When twenty-five years of age, he embarked in butchering for six months, then removed to Windsor, Conn., and went to work in a sash and blind factory, owned by his brother Allin Viall Kent, and there remained for another six months. His next location was at Thompsonville, Conn., where he worked in a sash and blind factory for Elliott Hamilton, for three years. At the expiration of this time, believing he could better himself, Mr. Kent located at Hampton (then South Wilbraham), Mass., and for three additional years worked in the employ of Marcus Beebe, in a plow factory, making wooden plows by hand for the southern trade. Inducements being held out to him by William Johnson, at Westfield, Mass., Mr. Kent next entered his employ and worked in his organ factory at that place for several months, but not liking the business, went to Somers, Conn., establishing a sash and blind factory and also engaged in farming, remaining in this locality for one year. After this experience, he removed to East Longmeadow, Mass., and worked in the Springfield Armory on gun barrels, in what is known as the "water shops," where he remained about three years, during the greater part of the war, leaving in 1865 to go to Warren, Mass., where he was employed working on tape looms, and when, at the expiration of one year, the business was removed to Worcester, Mass., he went with the firm, and remained there two and one-half years. His next change was to Webster, Mass., and at that place he was in the employ of Charles Palmer in his sash and blind factory, but after three years he located in Putnam, in May, 1872, purchasing the wood-turning business of Horatio Reed, on the Quinebaug river, a very small plant at that time. Subsequently he made many improvements and enlarged his fields of operation until he occupied the entire building and gave employment to from ten to twelve men. His output included sash, blinds and all kinds of builders' finishings. So thoroughly understanding every detail of this line of work, and having a natural inclination for it, he was enabled to take advantage of every opportunity offered and was very successful. In January, 1900, however, he felt that he had discharged his duty, and sold his business to his sons, who continue it upon the old lines, the same policy of strict honesty, uprightness of dealing and excellence of workmanship being followed out by the new firm. Mr. Kent was a consistent member of the Advent Christian Church of Putnam, of which he served as deacon for over twenty years, and also as treasurer, and of which Mrs. Kent is also a member. When occasion demanded, Mr. Kent cast his vote for the candidates of the Republican party, but his business so fully absorbed his time and attention that he never took an active part in politics. All his sympathies were in accordance with temperance principles and his life testified to his sincerity.
"On Sept. 20, 1849, Mr. Kent was married (first) to Adelia D. Bliss, born Sept. 24, 1826, a native on Monson, Mass., daughter of Austin and Eunice (Pease) Bliss, who died June 5, 1869, in Webster, Mass. The children were as follows: Ella Minerva, Clarence Marsh, Nellie Jane, Ernest Bliss, Cora Adelia.
"Ella Minerva Kent was born July 11, 1850, in Palmer, Mass., and died in Enfield, Conn., Sept. 4, 1854....
"On Oct 18, 1871, Bela M. Kent was married (second) to Almeda (Doman) Buck, widow of Barney Buck, and daughter of John G. and Diana (Tyler) Coman, of Thompson, Conn. No children were born of the second marriage.
"Early in life Mr. Kent had a hard struggle to overcome adverse circumstances, and at times he seemed almost vanquished, but through it all he displayed a sturdy uprightness of purpose and independence of spirit, which in the end conquered....In 1875, Mr. Kent built his very comfortable home, located about one mile from the centre of Putnam, and here he enjoyed the well-earned rest which comes after a life of toil, discouragements and successes, happy in the love of his devoted wife and children, in all of whom he took an honest pride."
--Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties Connecticut Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and of Many of the Early Settled Families, Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1903, pp. 505-506.
"Thomas Viall Kent, son of Ezra Keith, and father of Bela Marsh, was born April 19, 1801, in Seekonk, Mass. By occupation he was a cabinet maker...
"Bela Marsh Kent was born March 16, 1826, and when he was but seven years of age, his parents removed from Attleboro, to Northbridge, Mass., where he attended the district schools, finishing his education with one term at the North Wilbraham Academy, and leaving school at the age of nineteen years. From the age of seven he worked in the cotton mill when he was not at school, the entire time devoted to the latter scarcely amounting to two years, and after he decided that his school life was ended, he entered the cotton mill at Thorndyke (town of Palmer) learning the carding trade, and he remained there until 1851. When twenty-five years of age, he embarked in butchering for six months, then removed to Windsor, Conn., and went to work in a sash and blind factory, owned by his brother Allin Viall Kent, and there remained for another six months. His next location was at Thompsonville, Conn., where he worked in a sash and blind factory for Elliott Hamilton, for three years. At the expiration of this time, believing he could better himself, Mr. Kent located at Hampton (then South Wilbraham), Mass., and for three additional years worked in the employ of Marcus Beebe, in a plow factory, making wooden plows by hand for the southern trade. Inducements being held out to him by William Johnson, at Westfield, Mass., Mr. Kent next entered his employ and worked in his organ factory at that place for several months, but not liking the business, went to Somers, Conn., establishing a sash and blind factory and also engaged in farming, remaining in this locality for one year. After this experience, he removed to East Longmeadow, Mass., and worked in the Springfield Armory on gun barrels, in what is known as the "water shops," where he remained about three years, during the greater part of the war, leaving in 1865 to go to Warren, Mass., where he was employed working on tape looms, and when, at the expiration of one year, the business was removed to Worcester, Mass., he went with the firm, and remained there two and one-half years. His next change was to Webster, Mass., and at that place he was in the employ of Charles Palmer in his sash and blind factory, but after three years he located in Putnam, in May, 1872, purchasing the wood-turning business of Horatio Reed, on the Quinebaug river, a very small plant at that time. Subsequently he made many improvements and enlarged his fields of operation until he occupied the entire building and gave employment to from ten to twelve men. His output included sash, blinds and all kinds of builders' finishings. So thoroughly understanding every detail of this line of work, and having a natural inclination for it, he was enabled to take advantage of every opportunity offered and was very successful. In January, 1900, however, he felt that he had discharged his duty, and sold his business to his sons, who continue it upon the old lines, the same policy of strict honesty, uprightness of dealing and excellence of workmanship being followed out by the new firm. Mr. Kent was a consistent member of the Advent Christian Church of Putnam, of which he served as deacon for over twenty years, and also as treasurer, and of which Mrs. Kent is also a member. When occasion demanded, Mr. Kent cast his vote for the candidates of the Republican party, but his business so fully absorbed his time and attention that he never took an active part in politics. All his sympathies were in accordance with temperance principles and his life testified to his sincerity.
"On Sept. 20, 1849, Mr. Kent was married (first) to Adelia D. Bliss, born Sept. 24, 1826, a native on Monson, Mass., daughter of Austin and Eunice (Pease) Bliss, who died June 5, 1869, in Webster, Mass. The children were as follows: Ella Minerva, Clarence Marsh, Nellie Jane, Ernest Bliss, Cora Adelia.
"Ella Minerva Kent was born July 11, 1850, in Palmer, Mass., and died in Enfield, Conn., Sept. 4, 1854....
"On Oct 18, 1871, Bela M. Kent was married (second) to Almeda (Doman) Buck, widow of Barney Buck, and daughter of John G. and Diana (Tyler) Coman, of Thompson, Conn. No children were born of the second marriage.
"Early in life Mr. Kent had a hard struggle to overcome adverse circumstances, and at times he seemed almost vanquished, but through it all he displayed a sturdy uprightness of purpose and independence of spirit, which in the end conquered....In 1875, Mr. Kent built his very comfortable home, located about one mile from the centre of Putnam, and here he enjoyed the well-earned rest which comes after a life of toil, discouragements and successes, happy in the love of his devoted wife and children, in all of whom he took an honest pride."
--Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties Connecticut Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and of Many of the Early Settled Families, Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1903, pp. 505-506.
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