Person:Samuel Zent (3)

This Lt. Col. Samuel M. Zent (1834-1897) has been confused by some researchers with Samuel H. Zent (1820-1899). Samuel H. Zent was Lt. Col. Samuel M. Zent's Uncle.

Lt Col Sam Zent, Civil War:

from: http://ralphinla.rootsweb.com/cwunitu.htm During the final campaign in the Carolinas, the 13th Indiana, commanded by Lt. Col. Samuel M. Zent, was assigned to the 3rd Brigade (Col. G. F. Granger), 2nd Division (Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames), Tenth Corps (Maj. Gen. Alfred H. Terry), of the Army of the Ohio (Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield), which was the Center force of the three advancing armies commanded by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman.(4)

http://civilwarindiana.com/cgi-bin/swapmeet.pl?read=2745 EMAIL POSTING: "A copy of the civil war diary of Lt. Col. Samuel M. Zent, who advanced from pvt. and eventually assumed command of the Regiment shortly prior to Ft. Fisher, is on file in the Indiana Room of the Huntington City-County Library. . ."

Information obtained from Herbert T. Zent, 3117 East Lake Drive S., Elkhart, Indiana 46514:

"...You may be aware of this, but I just discovered it. Sam Zent's post war experiences were quite interesting. He purchased a hardware store in Roanoke, Indiana and combined this with his trade as a tinsmith. He subsequently moved to Fort Wayne, thence to Ligonier, In. In 1875 he signed on with the Gordon Party and struck out for the reputed gold fields of the Black Hills, located in what was then Dakota Territory. The US prohibited white exploitation of the lands which had, by treaty, been ceded various Indian nations. The Gordon Party was intercepted by a U.S. Army detail, which surrounded their camp, confiscated their weapons, destroyed their wagons and supplies and marched the forlorn group some 250 miles to Ft. Randal, where they were released. Govt. policy subsequently changed, and the following year Sam returned to the Black Hills. His stay was apparently unproductive, and he nearly succumbed to the fever. He returned,determined to subdue his adventuresome spirit and devote his future to his wife and family, who he again moved back to Roanoke, and a farm on the outskirts of the town. He was elected trustee of Jackson Twp., Huntington County. But, the allure of the Oklahoma land rush enticed him to again depart in 1892. Problems with rheumatism were reportedly a factor, prompting him to seek a gentler climate. He apparently acquired some land holdings and opened a tinshop, first in Okarche, OK then, after returning to Indiana for a few months, establishing a similar business in Blackwell, OK. In time he returned to Roanoke where he quietly lived out his remaining days -- striken with a fatal heart seizure while feeding the chickens in March of 1897. If you wish, forward me your email address and I will send you the text from the S.M.Zent diary for January 1865. Steve Williams " sroanokerube@@aol.com

47TH REGIMENT INFANTRY INDIANA VOLUNTEERS http://mywebpages.comcast.net/klindsey/47thindiana.htm photos: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/klindsey/47th.photo.htm (does anyone have one of Mathias in uniform?)

ROSTER OF SOLDIERS

COMPANY E Kenaga, Matthias Roanoke Dec. 13 Discharged May 11, '62; disability Krider, George W. Roanoke Dec. 13 Discharged May 11, '62; disability Zent, Jacob W. Roanoke Dec. 13 Mustered out Dec. 13, '64. (Note: Jacob W. Zent was Samuel M. Zent's brother)

Samuel Zent was survived by his wife and a daughter and son-in-law.

1880 Census: Household:

Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace 
Samuel  ZENT   Self    M   Male       W   45   OH    Tinner                 OH   PA  
A. Sarah ZENT   Wife   M   Female   W   41   OH   Keeping House   MD   OH  
Charles  ZENT   Son    S    Male       W   15    IN                               OH   OH  
Eva        ZENT   Dau    S    Female   W    9    IN                                OH   OH  
Henry    ZENT   Son     S    Male       W    6    IN                                OH   OH  

Source Information:

 Census Place Perry, Noble, Indiana 
 Family History Library Film   1254301 
 NA Film Number   T9-0301 
 Page Number   397B

1. ↑ Zent, Roberta, 4625 East McKinley Ave., Fresno, CA 93703.
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Jeffrey L. Patrick, Purdue University. Indiana Magazine of History, "To the Black Hills Gold Fields: The Letters of Samuel M. Zent, Hoosier Prospector, 1875-1876". (September, 1995, Vol. XCI, Number 3)
   pg. 286.
3. ↑ Jeffrey L. Patrick, Purdue University. Indiana Magazine of History, "To the Black Hills Gold Fields: The Letters of Samuel M. Zent, Hoosier Prospector, 1875-1876". (September, 1995, Vol. XCI, Number 3)
   pg. 265.
4. ↑ ^4.0 4.1 Jeffrey L. Patrick, Purdue University. Indiana Magazine of History, "To the Black Hills Gold Fields: The Letters of Samuel M. Zent, Hoosier Prospector, 1875-1876". (September, 1995, Vol. XCI, Number 3).