Myron Kent

Myron Kent
Myron Kent
Born	William Wilder Pancoast; August 27, 1844; Medina County, Ohio
Died	June 6th, 1912 (aged 67); Bismarck, North Dakota
Burial place	Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck, North Dakota
Occupation(s)	Land Developer and Businessman
Known for	Founder of Mora, Minnesota
Criminal charges	Murder 2nd Degree
Criminal penalty	Death (later commuted to life in prison)
Criminal status	Convicted
Children	1 Earl Kent
Parents	Michael Pancost (father); Mary Cook (mother);

In May 1882 Myron Kent was the first person to plat Mora, Minnesota in the United States.^[1] He was also the first postmaster, built the first building^[1] and business. Kent served on the first school board of Mora School, established in 1883.^[2] Later in life he was tried and convicted of murdering his wife^[3] Julia Laird by the state of North Dakota and was sentenced to death. After the death penalty in North Dakota was abolished his sentence was commuted to life.^[4]

Biography

Early life

Kent was born as William Wilder Pancoast and lived in Ohio for his early years.^[5]

Marriage and children

Myron Kent married Julia Laird, daughter of a wealthy businessman in Pine County on New Year's Eve. 1882.^[6] They had one child together, named Earl Kent.^[7]

Death

On June 6, 1912, Myron Kent suffered a heart attack while in prison serving a life sentence and passed away.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b Troolin, Amy; Foster, Earl J. (2012). Kanabec County. Arcadia. p. 53. ISBN 9780738590561.
^ Troolin, Amy; Foster, Earl J. (2012). Kanabec County. Arcadia. p. 89. ISBN 9780738590561.
^ Shutter, Marion Daniel, ed. (1897). Progressive Men of Minnesota. Minneapolis Journal. p. 181.
^ "Early Mora History | Mora, MN". www.ci.mora.mn.us. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
^ "THE MYSTERIOUS LIFE of MORA'S FOUNDER" (PDF).
^ ^a ^b "Newspaper called North Dakota murder trial 'remarkable'". InForum. 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
^ "Mandan Historical Society". www.mandanhistory.org. Retrieved 2023-04-13.

[Troolin&Foster53-1] Troolin, Amy; Foster, Earl J. (2012). Kanabec County. Arcadia. p. 53. ISBN 9780738590561.

[Troolin&Foster89-2] Troolin, Amy; Foster, Earl J. (2012). Kanabec County. Arcadia. p. 89. ISBN 9780738590561.

[3] Shutter, Marion Daniel, ed. (1897). Progressive Men of Minnesota. Minneapolis Journal. p. 181.

[4] "Early Mora History | Mora, MN". www.ci.mora.mn.us. Retrieved 2023-04-13.

[5] "THE MYSTERIOUS LIFE of MORA'S FOUNDER" (PDF).

[:0-6] "Newspaper called North Dakota murder trial 'remarkable'". InForum. 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2023-04-13.

[7] "Mandan Historical Society". www.mandanhistory.org. Retrieved 2023-04-13.

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