JAMES BRENT Dep Sheriff

W.J. (Josh) Brent, 70, prominent retired business man of Silver City, died early Wednesday morning at Tucson, Ariz., where he had been for some weeks, convalescing from a heart attack which he suffered several months ago. Born July 23, 1887, at Lincoln County, New Mexico, scene of the turbulent “Lincoln County War” in which his father James (Jim) Brent, had a notable part as a deputy sheriff, with a record for his fearlessness as an early day peace officer.

The Brent family came to Silver City while Josh was a boy and was one of the pioneer first families of the community, which had a large part in the early development of Silver City. As a young man, Josh Brent became associated with the Silver city Beer & Ice CO. and affiliated firms, engaged in successful wholesale and retail business activities. Starting at the bottom of the ladder, Josh, by his ability soon advanced to the job of manger of the business, and became a director and large stockholder in the corporation. He was the last of the original group that had a part in organizing and conducting the firm for more than a century and its last president.

During what was virtually a lifetime residence, Brent’s faith in Silver City’s future never wavered and he lived to see many of his dreams come true. Having prospered in business endeavors his investments were made in Silver City and he became through the years one of the largest owners of valued property. One of his last investments was the purchase of the Meeryan Building on West Broadway, which was acquired about a year ago in the settlement of an estate. Among his investments in Silver City, in association with Jack Borenstein, are the Gila Theater Building and the garage building on East Broadway occupied by the Martin Ford Motor Co.

Although he had lived retired as a businessman, Brent still retained an interest in community affairs as a member of Silver City Grant County Chamber Commerce and other civic organizations. He was a past member of Silver City Elks Lodge No.413, having served two terms in that office, and had been a member of the Lodge for 46 years He was a veteran of World War I, serving overseas, and a past commander of Allingham-Golding Post No. 18 of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Every project for the good of Silver City had His enthusiastic support and assistance. Because of his long residence, he was regarded as an authority on the history of the town and county, with a vivid recollection of the people and events of the frontier days and era when fortunes were made in gold, silver discovers in Pinos Altos Black Hawk, Fleming, Georgetown, Central, Gold Hill and other mining camps.

Surviving are two brothers, William Brent, of Hollywood Calif., and Yuma Ariz.; Edward Brent, Los Angeles and a sister, Mrs. Leo Schutz of Santa Fe, the Former Josephine Brent. Funereal services will be held at 10 a.m. with high mass at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, the Rev. R.A. Vonder Haar officiating. Burial will be in the Silver City Cemetery, directed by the Cox Mortuary.

Bio by: Eddie Ortiz Gonzales