James Pattee Sargent
James Pattee Sargent | |
|---|---|
 Sargent in 1888 | |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 7th district | |
| In office September 6, 1871 – 1873 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 11, 1823 Thornton, New Hampshire, US |
| Died | March 22, 1900 (aged 77) Gilroy, California, US |
| Resting place | San Carlos Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Agnes Bowie |
| Children | 5 |
James Pattee Sargent (February 11, 1823 – March 22, 1900), also known as J. P. Sargent, was an American pioneer who served as a member of the California State Assembly, representing Santa Clara County, California from 1871 to 1873. He owned Rancho Juristac in Santa Clara County and was one of the wealthiest landowners in the county. Sargent Station, situated between Watsonville and Gilroy on the Southern Pacific Railroad, was named after him.[1][2]
Early life and education[edit]
Sargent was born on March 28, 1821, in Thornton, New Hampshire. He was one of six children of Jacob P. Sargent and Martha H. Webster. After the death of his mother in 1838, he moved to Merrimack County, New Hampshire.[1][3]
Career[edit]
In 1843, Sargent relocated to Massachusetts, where he spent the winters driving a milk cart for his uncle near Quincy. In 1844, he partnered with his brother, Roswell C. in the ice business, which they operated for several years in Boston. In 1848, they traveled to Chicago where he became the first to cut ice using machinery in the city. He remained in this business until the spring of 1849, when he sold it to travel with his brothers to California during the gold rush.[1][3][4] They crossed the Great Plains, while another brother, Bradley V., came around the Cape Horn.[5] In 1850, they arrived in Weaverville, California, in the San Joaquin Valley, and did business under the name of "Sargent Brothers". They engaged in merchandising, stock-raising, and mining. In 1853, Sargent moved to Santa Clara County, California, and settled on the Los Angeles Ranch where he continued livestock raising. In 1854, he relocated to a tract near Soap Lake.[1][3]
In 1856, Sargent purchased Rancho Juristac, a 4,540 acres (1,840 ha) property located five miles south of Gilroy, California. He established his residence there, and it became known as Sargent Ranch. In 1869, the Southern Pacific Railroad added a stop called Sargent Station.[3][1][6] On November 13, 1871, Sargent obtained a patent for Rancho Juristac, officially naming it Sargent Ranch, with its own railroad stop. It was one of the largest cattle ranches in the region.[7][8] By 1895, the area was a popular gathering place for hunters and social groups.[9] The Sargent Brothers acquired and developed sizable holdings in San Joaquin, Santa Clara, and Monterey counties.[1][5]
Sargent married Agnes Bowie San Juan, Monterey County, on October 31, 1864. She was originally from Montreal, Canada.[10] They had five children together.[3]
Political career[edit]
Sargent was involved in Republican Party politics, serving a term as a member of the California State Assembly. In 1871, he was elected assemblyman of Santa Clara County from 1871 to 1873. He worked alongside Frederick C. Franck and Francis E. Spencer.[11][12][13]
Sargent was a member of the Society of California Pioneers and the Knights Templar. He served as a director of the Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Society for ten years and was elected its president for one term in 1877.[3][1][2]
Death and legacy[edit]
Sargent died at his home near Sargent's Station in Gilroy on March 22, 1900. At the time of his death, he was considered[by whom?] one of the wealthiest men in Monterey County.[14] The area, including Sargent Station, Sargent Hills and Sargent Creek, still bears his name.[2][3][6]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g Foote, Horace S. (1888). "J. P. Sargent". Pen Pictures from the Garden of the World, Or Santa Clara County, California. California: Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 665–666. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Death of J. P. Sargent A Widely Known Pioneer Citizen Passes away". The Californian. Salinas, California. March 24, 1900. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Munro-Fraser, J. P. (1881). "Hon. James P. Sargent". History of Santa Clara County, California. San Francisco: Alley, Bowen & Co. p. 628.
- ^ Guinn, James Miller (1909). History of the State of California and biographical record of San Joaquin County; containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present. Historic Record Co. pp. 246–247. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Sanchez, Nellie Van de Grift (1932). California and Californians. California: Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 246–247. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Pierce, Marjorie (1981). East of the Gabilans The Ranches, the Towns, the People--yesterday and Today. Western Tanager Press. pp. 150–152. ISBN 978-0-934136-11-2. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Perez, Cris (1996). Land Grants in Alta California. Landmark Enterprises. p. 70. ISBN 9780910845557. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Hart, Richard E. (2019). "Federal Recognition Of Native American Tribes: The Case Of California's Amah Mustsun" (PDF). www.protectjuristac.org. pp. 66–67. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "Sargents Station". Santa Clara County and Its Resources. Berkeley, California: San Jose Mercury Pub. & Print. Company. 1895. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "Marriages". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. November 7, 1864. p. 3. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "Assemblymen". Daily Evening Herald. Stockton, California. September 30, 1871. p. 1. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "General Election, AD-07. James P. Sargent". www.joincalifornia.com. September 6, 1871. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ "James R. Sargent". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
- ^ "James P. Sargent Answeres Death's Call. Was an Early Pioneer and Possed Considerable Property at Gilroy". The San Francisco Call and Post. San Francisco, California. March 23, 1900. p. 4. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
External links[edit]
- J. P. Sargent, History San Jose
- "Sargent-Gragg Collection". Online Archive Collection.
