James Lent

JAMES LENT, a prosperous merchant of Hopeville, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, July 9, 1829, a son of John Lent, who was a native of Vermont. Our subject passed his youth on the home farm, receiving a common-school education in the rude log-cabin subscription schools of his native county.  He was married May 1, 1851, to Miss Mary A. Allison, daughter of James Allison. To this union were born eleven children, seven still living – Melville, Lewis, Low A., Samuel, Leonard, Lillie and Elwood. Mr. Lent came to Clarke County, Iowa, when he settled in Doyle Township.  He enlisted in the late war in Company I, Missouri State Militia, in which he served fifteen months. He re-enlisted and served a year and ten months in Company L, Third Iowa Cavalry. He participated in the battles of Ebenezer Church, Selma, Macon and Columbus, Georgia; Lexington, Missouri, Independence, Blue Hill, Harrisonville, and other engagements of minor importance.  Since returning from the war he has made farming his principal vocation, although he has sold goods and kept hotel for several years, and is still proprietor of a hotel. He is at present dealing in hardware, farm implements, barb-wire, furniture and tinware, and is carrying on a good business.  Mr. Lent has been constable several years, and has filled other local offices of trust. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for twenty-one years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows’ order, to which he has belonged for twenty-two years. He is also a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic.

SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Record of Clarke County, Iowa, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1886 p. 399-400