Lebanon News
Obituary of Jacob C. Gent

January 7, 1910 Death Of Capt. J. C. Gent. Answered Last Roll Call On Xmas Day. Christmas day Captain J. C. Gent answered his last call, not to the sound of the bugle, but to the touch of death's icy hand. Three days prior to his death he was found in his office unconcious and almost lifeless, and after being carried to his room he gradually grew worse until he fell asleep like a tired child. Our pencil is too feeble to write a fitting testimonial of his high and exalted character, but we can fully enter into all the sympathy and sorrow for the bereaved wife and all relatives which is so keenly felt by all Lebanon and the entire county. Capt. Gent was a Virginian by birth and first saw the light of day in Russell county, November, 1837. His youth was passed in securing an education, obtained at Lebanon Academy, Lebanon, Va. He then turned his attention to teaching school and was thus engage when the Civil War broke out. True to his native spirit and the Southland, he at once tendered his services to the Confederacy and was elected captain of Company B, Sixteenth Regulary Virginia Calvary. When the flag was furled at Appomattox Courthouse, he returned home and for a period of sixteen years efficiently served as clerk of the courts of Russell. In February, 1882, he entered upon the practice of law and since that period was successful practicing his chosen profession. Captain Gent since 1869 was actively engaged in furthering the success of the Conservative, subsequently the Democratic party. In 1899 he was elected a member of the House of Delegates from this county and served during the sessions of 1899, 1900 and 1901. He was a member of the Committees on Courts of Justice, Banks and Banking and claims. His career in the legislative body was characteristic of the man. His character may be marked as that of a broad, practical self-made culture. Lebanon was Captain Gent's home from youth up where he and his wife, formerly Miss Lou Routh, daughter of Rev. Asa Routh, a Baptist minister, have always enjoyed the comforts of a pleasant, happy home. He was a devoted friend to the poor people of the county, accepting hundreds of cases from people whom he never received a cent and didn't ask.

January 14, 1910 Resolutions At a meeting of McElhaney Camp, U. C. V. the following Preamble and Resolutions were passed: The Camp desiring that special cognizance of the death of Captain J. C. Gent, who at his death was Commander of this Camp, recommend that the following resolutions be adopted: Whereas, that Divine Intelligence, whose ways are our ways and who doeth all things well, hath been pleased to translate from this probationary state to the higher existence, our beloved brother and Commander, J. C. Gent. Resolved, that in the death of this exemplary Commander, the Camp has sustained a loss well nigh irreparable, an intelligent, energetic and devoted member of our Camp - diligent in business, firm and unaswerable in right conduct, of spotless integrity, genial and pleasant, his life leaves behind it no memory which has in it aught save that which is pure and tender. Resolved that our heartfelt sympathy is extended to his family with the assurance that in their loss we have a part, in their sorrow we have a share and in their love we have a portion. Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be sent to his family and to the Confederate Veteran and also a copy be printed in the Lebanon News. G. W. J. GRAY, M. S. HURT, S. H. WYATT.