Willard M Kent

The Limitation of Birth
Ithaca Daily Journal, 26 Oct 1901, P. 5, Cols 3-4

"The only argument that thus far has been advanced by the Democrats in favor of the election of Mr. Mone for City Recorder is that he is a life-long resident of Ithaca. By implication it is urged that Recorder Kent should not be elected because he happened not to be born in Tompkins County. Farther than this, those who are not familiar with the facts are asked to look upon Mr. Kent as a "mere outsider," who has been forced upon the people of Ithaca against their will. All this is quite in keeping with the policy of misrepresentation that is the stock-in-trade of the opposition. Now, again, let us see what are the facts in the case.
  Ten years ago Willard Kent, a lad of sixteen, came to Ithaca and entered the High School. He was without means, but not without a wholesome ambition. He wanted an education and he was bound to get it. He found employment and thus was able to work his way through the school. His record there shows what sort of a student he was. Those for whom he worked know how faithful he was in his duties. What his school fellows thought of him was shown by their electing him present of the graduating class.
  After a year at hard work to get funds for his further education, young Kent entered the Cornell Law School, and in due time was graduated and admitted to the bar. But ever before his admission he had gone into business here, where he had been working and studying for уeаrs. With his admission to the bar came an invitation to form a law partnership with Paul S Livermore. Mr. Livermore thought the fact that Willard Kent was not Ithaca born no bar to such a partnership. He knew the man and was glad to be associated with him in business.
  That this partnership does not exist today is owing to the fact that Mr. Kent was appointed to do the work of the Recorder, who was ill, and on the death of Mr. Van Kirk, was appointed to the unexpired term by Governor Odell. The appointment was felt by all the citizens of Ithaca who had watched this young man's course to be a proper recognition of merit. No word of criticism was heard against him as Recorder; no word of criticism was made against him personally. He had won his place on his merits and held it on his merits.
   And now that Mr. Kent is a candidate for continuance in the office to which he was appointed no word of criticism is heard, even from his political enemies. no, we will not say enemies, for he has no enemies - no word of criticism is heard even from his political opponents as to his record as Recorder. Surely this is a high compliment to Mr Kent. But it is no compliment to Mr. Mone that his friends are endeavoring to elect him on an issue based on his birthplace. Neither is it a compliment to the intelligence of the citizens of Ithaca. Ithaca has not yet reached that holier-than-thou state, where it bars from public service any but natives. It is glad to welcome such young men as Willard Kent and to recognize ability and pluck and character from whatever source.
  It would be interesting to know just where the opponents of Mr. Kent would draw the line. If a ten years' residence does not qualify for citizenship in its largest sense, what does? Would fifteen years, or twenty? Do they propose to say to young men that they are welcome to settle here, and make and spend their money here, and work for the interests of the community, but they must not expect to be selected for public service because they are not Ithacans by birth? Possibly that's the way Mr. Mone's friends feel, but we can assure them that they represent but a small and insignificant part of the people of this city. And of this they will have abundant proof on the 5th of November."

The Limitation of Birth, Ithaca Daily Journal, 26 Oct 1901, P. 5, Cols. 3-4 [https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=idj19011026-01.1.5&srpos=2&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-willard+kent-------Tompkins--]

Obituary for Willard M. Kent, Retired Judge
The Ithaca Journal, Jan 16 1958, P. 3, Cols. 1-2, with photo

"Willard M. Kent, retired Tompkins County judge and for many years active in Ithaca and county civic, fraternal, and political affairs, died Wednesday, Jan. 15 1958, at his home on the Newfield Rd. He was 81. He had been-in ill health for a long period.
  Former city recorder, district attorney, and the county's first Children's Court judge, he had given 40 years of public service to the city and county before his retirement June 1, 1945 as county judge and judge of Children's Court.
  In 1948 Kent concluded a two year term as supreme chancellor and international head of the Knights of Pythias. He also served as great commander of the Maccabees in New York State, with duties in that society involving both fraternal and life beneficiary activities.
  Ithaca High Graduate
  Judge Kent was born in Genoa Ohio, in September, 1876. His parents moved to Franklinville in Cattaraugus County where he attended grade school. Later he attended Ithaca High School, was graduated in 1895, and was president of the Senior Class.
  In 1898 Kent was graduated from the Cornell Law School, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of that year. He began the general practice of law in Ithaca.
  In 1900 Mayor William R. Gunning appointed Kent city recorder, and the following year he was elected to the position on the Republican ticket.
  A candidate for district attorney in 1903, he won the election and served from 1904 to 1910.
  At the time of his retirement from the county judge's bench, Kent recalled his days as district attorney. He said that the biggest cases, except a murder trial, involved violation of the Sunday closing law for selling alcoholic beverages. He obtained 16 convictions following a mass arraignment on those charges. He prosecuted Carlo Ciardi for the strangulation murder of Louis Porgi in an 8-day trial that ended with Ciardi's conviction and subsequent execution.
  After two terms as district attorney, Judge Kent went into the private practice of law for six years.
  Kent reentered the political scene in 1915 as candidate for county judge and surrogate. He won and continued to do so at successive elections. His popularity was attested by the tremendous majority vote he rolled up at elections.
  Assumed Children's Court
  In 1921, when the juvenile courts were created by law, Judge Kent assumed the added duty of Children's Court. As county judge, he heard many civil and criminal cases, involving all crimes including manslaughter.
  Judge Kent was known widely as an able jurist. For many years he presided as a substitute for the judges of Nassau and Broome Counties.
  Kent was a past president of the New York State Assn. of Judges of Children's Courts. At one of its annual conferences Magistrate Jonah J. Goldstein of New York City complimented Tompkins County on its Children's Court under Judge Kent. He stated that it had the flavor of a guidance bureau rather than a court of criminal procedure."
  Praised by Officials
  At the time of his retirement Judge Kent was praised by current and former city and county officials. He was cited for his "genial disposition." Former City Judge Harold E. Simpson, pointed out that Kent's work "has been primarily concerned with those of the county who were in deep personal trouble. He handled each problem with a kindness and sympathy which served to lighten the burdens of those who came to him." Arthur G. Adams, district attorney for 24 years of the 30 Judge Kent presided over County Court, said, "I have found him ever faithful to his duty, fair to every defendant yet always willing to temper justice with mercy. His charges to juries were always masterpieces of diction and showed his great knowledge of the criminal law."
  Active Pythian
  In 1946, when Judge Kent was elected supreme chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, he had been a member of the order for 45 years. He was a past chancellor commander of Cascadilla Lodge, K. of P., supreme representative from New York State, and a Pythian Home trustee. In the state order, he had served successively as grand prelate, grand vicechancellor, and grand chancellor of the grand domain of New York State.
  During his term of office as supreme chancellor of the K. of P., he visited in nearly every state.
  After his retirement as judge in 1945, Kent engaged in the private practice of law in Ithaca.
  Judge Kent was a member and past exalted ruler of the Ithaca Lodge of Elks, a member of local Masonic fraternities, the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Tompkins County Bar Assn., and the St. John's Episcopal Church.
  Anniversary Observed
  On Dec. 25, 1945, Judge Kent and Mrs. Kent observed their 50th wedding anniversary at Lakeland, Fla., where they spent the winter.
  Besides his wife, Mrs. Helen Bissell Kent, Judge Kent is survived by a son, Willard B. Kent of Fulton, and several nieces and nephews."

Judge Willard Morrell Kent

DoB: 29 Sep 1876
PoB: Genoa, Ottawa County, Ohio
Died: 15 Jan 1958, Tompkins County, New York
Buried: East Lawn Cemetery, Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York