JOHN P. KENT
In religious faith Mr. Kent was an earnest and loyal Catholic and was twice representative of the state of Washington in the supreme council of the Catholic Knights of America. He was also an earnest and effective worker in behalf of the United Relief Society and was filling the office of vice president at the time of his demise. For many years he was a director of the Walla Walla County Fair Association and in that connection did much to further public progress. He was also a trustee of the local lodge of Elks and was a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus in Walla Walla. Death called him on the 8th of May, 1917, when he passed away at his home on Poplar street. He had been in failing health for about a year but was confined to his home for only the last week. One who knew him well paid to him the following justly merited tribute:
"In the death of John P. Kent, Walla Walla has lost one of her best citizens. He was always active in every progressive enterprise and a factor in everything that had for its object the benefit of his home city. He was eloquent of speech, which, combined with his recognized probity and force of character, gave him great influence in the council of his fellows. He was no trimmer but expressed his opinions on all questions openly and frankly and even those who disagreed with him acknowledged and admitted his sincerity of purpose. He was one of the kindest of husbands, the most loving of fathers and a true and loyal friend."
GEORGE F. MOTTET.
George F. Mottet is a retired stock man of Walla Walla who at the age of twenty-seven years came to the new world and established his home in this section of the state. Throughout the intervening period he has been connected with the sheep industry but has now largely put aside the active cares of business life to enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He was born in France, February 17, 1859, and is a son of Francis and Virginia Mottet, who were also natives of France, where they spent their entire lives. They had a family of seven children, but George F. is the only one now living. He was reared and educated in France, enjoying liberal opportunities. He completed a high school course and afterward served for four years in the French army. He then determined to try his fortune in the new world and in 1886 he came to America, making his way at once to Walla Walla. He has since been identified with the interests of the northwest. He was engaged in the sheep industry for twenty-four years and his affairs were wisely and successfully managed, so that he derived therefrom a handsome competence. After almost a quarter of a century he sold out and retired from active business life, making his home at the present time at No. 440 Chase avenue in Walla Walla, where he occupies a fine residence.
In 1895 Mr. Mottet was united in marriage to Miss Leonie Vincent, a native of France, and they have become parents of three children: George, who died at the age of eleven years; Anna, who is a high school graduate of Walla Walla; and one who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Mottet has always been a stanch republican since becoming a naturalized American citizen but has never been an aspirant for office. He and his wife belong to the Catholic church. He is a self-made man—one who deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their improvement has acquired a handsome fortune. In addition to the home which he occupies in Walla Walla he has seven other residence properties there, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. His business interests have been carefully managed, his methods have been characterized by the utmost integrity and the results which have accrued are most satisfactory and creditable.