Francis Celestino Brent was a prominent citizen of Pensacola in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
| Francis Celestino Brent | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | May 12, 1848 Pensacola |
| Died | April 1914 |
| 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 |
Brent was born in Pensacola on May 12, 1848. When Brent was sixteen years of age the American Civil War broke out, and despite his age, Brent managed to enlist in the Confederate Army. Brent's father Thomas served as a captain in the Confederate Navy. At some point, the junior Brent was taken as a prisoner of War by the Union and incarcerated at Ship Island off the coast of Mississippi. However, Brent was eventually pardoned at Vicksburg and made his way back to Pensacola.
In 1876, Brent established F. C. Brent and Co., a banking organisation. Brent later bought the First National Bank and folder his organisation into it. Brent also owned the Brent Lumber Company and an interest in the Cedar Creek Mill in Brewton.