The Passing Of Valorus Kent Last Tuesday

LIVED IN GRAND LEDGE
LONGEST OF ANY CITIZEN

Held Offices of Trust and Highly Esteemed
Funeral Was Held Thursday Afternoon

As the shades were raised to greet the new day Tuesday morning the announcement was made that Valorus M. Kent, well known and highly es teemed citizen, had during the night answered the Master’s call and as men passed back and forth on the way to their various places of business each would halt and remark that Valorus was dead,

The news was not entirely unexpected for it had been known for days that Mr.. Kent was hopelessly ill with a cancer in the stomach. But even with the facts before his friends, they had hoped that by some miracle relief might come and his life be prolonged and it seemed Saturday upon his return from Ann Arbor where he had been to seek expert medical advice, that indeed he might be spared for a little while but he failed rapidly and at 2 a. m., March 13, his suffering was at an end and his spirit had joined his forefathers in the life beyond.

Funeral services were held Thurs day at 2 p. m. at the family residence on Jenne street, Rev. Lawrence Meade officiating, with the Masonic fraternity having charge of the burial service.

Valorus M. Kent, son of Frank and Harriet Kent, was born in Oneida township Dec. 25, 1853, and when about a year old he moved with his parents to Grand Ledge, which he proudly claimed as his home, in fact Mr. Kent had resided in the city longer than any other man, often saying that he remembered when there. were just 24 buildings in the place. He was educated in the public. schools of Grand Ledge and on Feb. 22, 1870, entered M. A. C. where he secured a higher education. On Sept. 10, 1873, was married to Miss Frances DeWitt, who died in September, 1898. On Dec. 25, 1899, he was married to Miss Mertie Brewer who died Dec. 25, 1912, and on Nov. 15, 1913, he was married to Mrs. Maud Risch who sur vives him and who tenderly cared for her husband during his long ill ness. He is also survived by a broth er, Darwin Kent, of this city.

At the age of 35 Mr. Kent became a member of the Baptist church and was a member of F. and A. M. No. 179, the R. A. M. No. 85 and R. S. M. 62, also belonged to the O. E. S. Mr. Kent served five years as master of his lodge and held many important positions in the civic life of the community having been twice elected as president of the village, was appoint ed to fill an unexpired term of the treasurer of Oneida township and was later twice reelected to fill the position. Mr. Kent was the first super visor elected after the city charter was adopted in 1893 and served 19 consecutive years as such. He was again elected to the position in 1922 which place he filled until his death. Being a man of keen judgment and able to stand firmly by his convictions, Mr. Kent was recognized as an Important factor on the board and was many times made chairman of important committees, during the present term he was one of five ap pointed from Eaton county to serve on the State board in Lansing.

Mr. Kent was a friend of the youth,

A TRIBUTE

It is with profound sorrow that The Independent records the death of two well known citizens, Mr. Tinkham, a young man, and Mr. Kent, an older one. As the rainbow arches the sky with both ends touching the earth so does the call from above come to both he who has life’s hope ahead of him and one who has passed many.