The largest city in Portage County with a population of nearly 29,000, Kent was incorporated as a village in 1867. Prior to that it started as two separate villages, Carthage and Franklin Mills. Renamed "Kent" in 1864 in honor of Marvin Kent who, helped spur development by bringing the railroad through town in 1863. Kent became known as the "Tree City" when, in the late 1800s, John Davey, an expert horticulturalist, planted hundreds of trees throughout the city. He also trained people in the caring of the newly planted trees. Mr. Davey later founded the Davey Tree Company which is still in existence today. Kent is also home to Ohios first choice among public universities, Kent State University, founded in 1910. The University serves almost 28,000 students at the Kent campus and boosts more that 200,000 alumni worldwide. Kent is well known for its eclectic mix of music, arts, natural beauty, historic downtown, and international business presence in a small town setting.