Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/642

 538

COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES

for rccoipiition o f which his party and friends had other honors» which were to come later* in store. A fte r the expiration o f hts terms o f serv­ ice M r. Knt conducted the “ Central Hotel,” one o f Bloomsburg s popular hostelries* for a year. A fte r leaving the hotel business he w as connected with the Columbia & Montour Traction Company, and ran the first through car between Bloomsburg and Berwick when the railroad w as 0{>cned. He then entered the employ of the Bell Telephone Company* as solicitor* and often laughingly refers to that experience* when the power M Bell or­ ganization of the present day* even locally, had but ten telephones in Berwick* a few 5n Bloomsburg. and a limited number pay sta­ tions scattered l)ctwecn. H is territory w'as between Scranton and Northumberland and his efforts were signally successful. H e was finally assigned to the Kenton district* which boasted o f but one telephone* that one being in the home of the late John G . McHcnr)% and his solicitation w*as so successful as to warrant the formation of the very prosperous subsidiary company which at the present day controls the telephone facilities of that entire region. His w ork done* M r. Ent accepted an offer made to him hy the firm o f M essrs. P. M c­ Manus & Co., o f Ph ill dclphia, who were con­ structing the Susquelianna, Bloomsburtr & Berwick railroad, with terminals at Berwick and Watsontown, as construction foreman. In this work, which he carried to a successful termination* M r. Ent gained the experience and ability to handle large bodies o f workmen w hkh afterw ards w as to prove such an ad­ vantage in his work. At the completion of the construction work on the S. B. & B. rail­ road he Ixxramc associated with M essrs. R iler, Curtis tc Hill* o f Philadelphia, as a construc­ tion foreman* with their contract o f relaying the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad west o f Harrisburg. When the contract was completed, the American Car & Foundry Com­ pany. o f Berwick* tendcrccl Mr. Knt the po­ sition o f construction foreman at thcir plant in Berwick, which he accepted and retained until he entered into the contest for election to the office o f sheriff o f Columbia county. Ilis former record as a county official had survived the passing of the years and his elec­ tion was assured u|>on his nomination. Mr. Ent fulfilled the functions o f that office on the same high plane o f efficiency which had characterized his former public service. Following his term o f several years Mr.

E n t started a garage at the com er o f Main and East streets* Bloomsburg, an enterprise which he conducted in such a manner that the patronage of the public made it a great success. H i s latest occupation, and probably the one o f greatest responsibility in his career* is that o f superintendent for the State high­ way department, which gives him jurisdiction o f road mamtenance and improvement in Co­ lumbia* Montour and Northumberland coun­ ties* with supervision over hundreds o f men. T he demand on his time o f this w ork com­ pelled the relinquishment o f his prirate en­ terprise* and for several years M r. Ent has devoted all o f his working hours to this great field o f public betterment. W hctncr the incumbent o f a minor office, like the tax collectorship o f a small commu­ nity like Scou township* to w hkh he w as elected many years ago* to the im]x>rtant re­ sponsibility o f guiding the efforts o f hun­ dreds o f men working for the public good. >fr. Ent has consistently demonstrated his conscientious endeavor and ability to handle the pro]K)$itions intrusted to him. In every movement fo r either county, com ­ munity or party betterment* Mr. Ent is a factor. Ilis hand is alw ays ready to help financially* and his shoulder to aid in push­ ing along (he wheel o f progress. H e is prom ­ inent in Elkdom* being a clu rtcr mcmlWr of the Bloomsburg lodge, and having served as its secretary for five years. H e is a member of the Sons o f Veterans Camp at Berwick* and an honorary member of the Colum bia County Veteran Association and the S ix th Pennsylvania Reserves. M r. Ent took a very prominent part in the erection o f Bloom sburg's notable soldiers' and sailors' monument, which stands in (he public square* at the intersection o f Market and Main streets. On Dec. 6, r888. M r. Knt became united in marriage with Florence Hoffman, o f L ig h t Street* a daughter o f John W . and Mar>(M illard ) Hoffman. H er father w as sh e riff o f Columbia county in 1876. T o M r. and Mrs. Knt have l>ccn bom the following ch il­ dren: Eliraticth, Millard* Harold, W ellin g­ ton, M ary, Martha* Ruth (who died at the age o f five), Irene and Frederick. T h e com fort­ able home is on West Third street, .and the large family which have sprung from this union are not only a credit to their parentage but to thcir sturdy and prominent ancestrA* as well. C H A R L E S E . W E L L IV E R * o f Bloom s­ burg. at present scrvnng as one of the board