Los Angeles County
Biographies
CHARLES SUMNER KENT
KENT, CHARLES SUMNER, Pacific Coast Manager of the Barber Asphalt Paving Co., Los Angeles, Cal. Was born at Buffalo, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1873. He is the son of William M. Kent and Susan E. (Phillips) Kent. He married Josephine MacPherson in 1904 at Buffalo.
Mr. Kent’s early education was limited to attendance at the public schools of his native city. Upon finishing his primary studies, Mr. Kent entered an architect’s office to learn that profession, and he studied for four years, at the end of which time he was compelled to give it up on account of ill health. During this period Mr. Kent went to Europe to study Old World architecture and was occupied thus for six months, visiting fourteen countries.
Upon relinquishing his ambitions to become an architect, Mr. Kent rested for a considerable period of time, then became connected with the Barber Asphalt Paving Co., with which concern he has continued down to date. He first went to work for the company in June, 1891, and his career since then has been a series of successes in his chosen field. He was promoted rapidly and for several years before moving West was superintendent of the company in Buffalo and western New York State. In February, 1904, he was appointed District Manager of California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. His record in that position for the next two years was such that he was named Pacific Coast Manager for the Barber Company, and is now in complete charge of its business in all that territory west of the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Kent is regarded as one of the leading asphalt experts, and is a man of great executive ability. He has never taken any active part in politics or fraternal matters, but is a popular clubman, holding membership in the California and Gamut clubs of Los Angeles.
Transcribed 4-14-10
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Press
Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 399, International News Service, New York, Chicago, San
Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta.
1913.
© 2010 Marilyn R. Pankey.
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