Francis Celestino Brent
Francis Celestino Brent was a prominent citizen of Pensacola in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
| Francis Celestino Brent | |
|---|---|
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| Born | May 12, 1848 Pensacola |
| Died | April 13, 1914 Pensacola |
| Occupation | Banker, lumber baron |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Spouse | Mary Ella Shuttleworth |
| Parents | Thomas W. and Mercedes Brent |
| Children | Isabella Eugenia Brent Catherine Mercedes Brent Thomas William Brent (II) Mary Ella Brent (II) Celestine Angela Brent Francis Celestino Brent Jr. Daniel Carroll Brent Cora Emily Brent George Shuttleworth Brent Genevieve Anna Brent Robert Innnocent Brent William Louis Brent Frances Louise Brent |
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F. C. Brent was born in Pensacola on May 12, 1848. When Brent was sixteen years of age the Civil War broke out. Brent's father Thomas served as a commander in the Union Navy but at the outset of the war resigned his commission, and was appointed to the same rank in the Confederate Navy, and served as such for the course of the war. Despite his young age, the junior Brent managed to enlist in the Confederate Army. After about a year of service, he was taken as a prisoner of war by the Union and incarcerated at Ship Island off the coast of Mississippi. After his sentence, Brent was paroled at Vicksburg in May of 1865 and made his way back to Pensacola.
On July 9, 1872, Brent married Mary Ella Shuttleworth. The two had twelve children.
In 1876, Brent together with L. P. Knowles, established the Knowles & Brent bank, which would later become F. C. Brent and Co.. In 1892, Brent purchased a controlling interest in the First National Bank and folded his organisation into it. Brent also owned the Brent Lumber Company and an interest in the Cedar Creek Mill in Brewton. Brent's business interests varied; in at least 1885 he was on the board of directors of the Citizens' Hotel Company.
Contents
Civic leadership
Brent served on the Board of Commissioners of the Government of the Principality of Pensacola in at least 1885[1]
Namesakes
Francis Celestino Brent lends his name to the following:
- The Brent Building, which was built for him
- The community of Brent/Brentwood, which occupies the area of an 840-acre farm Brent owned
- Brent Lane, which was once a two-lane dirt road heading to Brent's house on the aforementioned farm
Other images
F. C. Brent seated third from left
Death certificate
Pensacola Journal obituary
