Amos Kent, born in Chester, New Hampshire, was the son of Amos and Abigail Atherton Kent. He moved to Louisiana at the age of 17 and established a mercantile business in Baton Rouge. The business dissolved during the 1836 depression, so Kent relocated to a farm in St. Helena Parish. He married Susan Fluker in 1839; they had 12 children. In 1852 the Kent family moved to Greensburg where Amos filled an appointment as Registrar of the Land Office. Following completion of the New Orleans, Jackson, and Great Northern Railroad through St. Helena Parish, he moved to the northeastern section of the parish where he operated a sawmill in the virgin, yellow pine forest. This section became part of Tangipahoa Parish (formed in 1869), the railroad became the Illinois Central, and in 1888 Kent assisted some Northern promoters in laying out a town on the cut-over pine land. This town was named Kentwood in his honor. Kent served eight years in the Louisiana legislature. He built a stately home at Oak Hill, near Cool Creek.
From the description of Amos Kent and family papers, 1770-1906 (bulk 1855-1900). (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 122519527
