Santa Clara County
Biographies
HON. JAMES PATTEE SARGENT
HON. J. P. SARGENT.
Half a century of life on the western coast so enriched the experience
and developed the capabilities of Hon. J. P. Sargent, that his death,
February 25, 1900, was felt to be a distinct loss to a community
whose best interests he had sustained with untiring zeal, and where he was
known as one of its largest land owners and most successful stock manipulators.
An expert in his chosen line during the prime of a vigorous manhood, he
represents also that class of men who advance with extreme caution, and who
have laid a solid foundation under their efforts to creditably maintain the
prestige of Santa Clara county.
Back of a determination to overcome whatever obstacle
might intercept his progress, Mr. Sargent had the strength of character
and regard for business and other ideals which prevailed among his Mayflower
ancestors. Presumably these hardy and conscientious pilgrims endured the rigors
of early Colonial days with becoming fortitude, their austerity descending to
their children and children’s children with ever softening and broadening
measure. At any rate, their respect compelling principles were not wanting in
their descendant in California, who likewise had brothers who carved names for
themselves in western history and became integral parts of this great
commonwealth. Thrown upon his own resources at an early age, Mr. Sargent
soon gave evidence of that confidence in himself which has made him one of the
influential men of the state. Born in Grafton county,
N. H., in February, 1825, he was the son of Jacob and Martha (Webster)
Sargent, the Websters being also of Colonial
ancestry. As a milk peddler Mr. Sargent won the approval of a relative,
J. W. Robinson, of Quincy, Mass., in whose employ he earned his first
money, and during the summer seasons he turned his attention to delivering ice
in the city of Boston. That he regarded these occupations as mere stepping
stones was evident in 1844, when he accompanied his brother, Ross C., to
Chicago, Ill., and there started an ice business which netted encouraging
gains. Being in the heart of a district agitated over the reports of gold on
the coast, the brothers readily lent themselves to the promising expectations,
and in March, 1849, started on a journey which was to terminate in Weaverville,
October 1, 1849. Starting a general merchandise store in the then
small town of Weaverville, other outlets for ambition presented themselves,
more especially after the working force of the family was augmented by the
arrival on the coast of two other brothers, Jacob L. and
B. V. Sargent. Being men of progressive methods and great ambition,
they saw great opportunities in the stock business,
and as early as the latter part of 1850 began to buy stock of the emigrants, as
well as a large ranch near Woodbridge. Gradually their stock and property
interests assumed large proportions, extending into adjoining counties, and
aggregating a large combination of capital. In time the store became an incumbrance and was disposed of in 1855, its usefulness as
a pioneer factor having been supplanted by the ever present and increasing
stock business.
In the spring of 1853 Hon. J. P. Sargent came to Santa
Clara county to assume management of the interests of
Sargent Brothers in this part of the state, locating on the Los Agules rancho, which continued to be his home until 1856.
He then began the purchase of a tract of land on his own responsibility, the
same being the rancho of ten thousand acres now occupied by his family five
miles from Gilroy. Patience and perseverance marked his upward path in the
early days, and because he knew no such word as fail, and was ever progressive
towards larger business ideals, the years witnessed sure and undisputed promotion.
His personal traits were such as to endear him to other strugglers for
supremacy, and his natural conservatism gave to his opinion ready credence
among other stock dealers. He took a keen interest in general agriculture, so
much so that he was a director on the Santa Clara Agricultural Society for many
years, serving acceptably as president of the society in 1877. He was an
honored member of the California Pioneer Society, and exerted an influence in
all of its deliberations. The Republican party in this
county counted him among its stanchest adherents, and
while he was by no means a politician in the ordinary sense of the word, he
ably represented his district in the state assembly, and filled local offices
requiring tact and understanding.
The home life of Mr. Sargent was a happy and harmonious
one, and his energy and success enabled him to place every advantage in the way
of those dependent upon him. His marriage, November 4, 1864, to Agnes Bowie,
connected his own with the interests of another pioneer family well known in
California, and represented here since 1857. Mrs. Sargent was born in
Montreal, Canada, and in the west lived with her parents on a ranch near San
Juan, San Benito county. She is the mother of five
children, James A., Ross C., Agnes, Ida and Louise. The
integrity, shrewd business sagacity and remarkable success of Mr. Sargent
dignified a branch of industry without which the building of the west had been
greatly delayed, and for which he was particularly fitted by nature and inclination.
His tastes were pastoral rather than aggressive, and the charm and possibility
of Santa Clara county were born in upon him in their
fullest and most comprehensive sense. He was a good friend, a generous
neighbor, and bore modestly and confidently a success which might well be the
inspiration of the toilers of to-day.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 17 February 2015.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages
352-353. The Chapman Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Marie
Hassard.