KENT

The town of Kent was laid out in 1871 by the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railroad company. The town is located about 9 miles southwest of Creston in section 18 of Platte Township. The railroad operated as a flag stop until the depot was built in 1874.

The History of Union County, by George Ide, 1908 listed the following businesses:  Peak &  Clark, implement dealers and blacksmith;  L. C. Hoke, Barber;  Nugent sisters, restaurant, and hotel;  L. O. Patch, wagon and cabinet maker;  John Livingston, restaurant and hotel;  E. I. Davis, restaurant and billiards;  W. S. Klingston, dray line; John Seewald, livery;   I. J. Corbin, telephone manager;  Frank Johnston, carpenter;  Stephen Toland, postmaster;  H. E. Gray, implements and grain elevator;  H. P. LorInson, station agent;   H. C. Smith, opera House;  Dr. O. S. Barber, physician, and surgeon;  Riggs brothers, grain, coal and livestock;  Dr. H. M. Norton, physician and merchant;  C. H.  Thomas and Company, lumber and building materials;  L. C. Bowers, dry goods and groceries;  H. W. White and Company, dry goods and groceries;  J. R. Mayes and son, groceries and meat;  Thomas Hardware Company, hardware and harness, and the  Union County Savings Bank.   There are no businesses and only a few residences left in Kent today (2025).