California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
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FRANKLIN
H. SARGENT The
possibilities connected with the development of a tract of fruit land
brought Mr. Sargent to Fair Oaks during the year 1901. It was not,
however, until some years later that he was able to establish a
permanent home on the land he had then purchased. Meanwhile the trees on
the tract were being cared for carefully and scientifically, the land
was kept under cultivation and every facility afforded for the
satisfactory growth of the fruit until the bud had developed into the
ripened product ready for the market or the table. On the tract that he
purchased in 1901 a house had been partly constructed and some trees had
been planted. With personal energy he finished the work of tree-planting
and house-building and started the improvements that now make the place
one of the most valuable in the district. Franklin
H. Sargent was born April 10, 1851, at Searsport, Me., where he was
educated in the public schools, and he then worked his way through the
Castine (Me.) Normal school and Scofield's Commercial College in
Providence, R. I., where he was graduated. Having followed the trades of
brick and stone mason and plasterer in his eastern home, Mr. Sargent
resumed employment at these occupations upon coming West, as, until his
tract came into bearing, he could not secure a livelihood from its
cultivation. San Francisco offered a fine field for his trades and
accordingly he went to that city, secured work first as a mason and
plasterer, but later as a contractor and builder. For seven years he
continued in San Francisco and Berkeley, and meanwhile he established an
enviable reputation for skilled workmanship. During the entire period of
his residence in the western metropolis he had kept in touch with his
Fair Oaks tract and had seen that the trees received due attention as
needed. Finally, in 1909 returning to Sacramento county, be took up work
at his trade here and at the same time personally cultivated the little
farm. Of the ten acres, five are in peach trees of the Philips cling
variety, which bore a valuable and large crop for the season of 1911;
the balance is in oranges, olives and almonds. Gratifying as has been
the work of the past, the promise for the future is greater, and the
owner has every reason to feel proud of his attractive home place. The
residence which Mr. Sargent has improved and enlarged forms a valuable
accession to the fine country homes of the county. Provided with an
abundant supply of hot and cold water, equipped with excellent lavatory
accommodations, and lighted by electricity, its improvements are
thoroughly up-to-date and its conveniences are conducive to the comfort
of the occupants. Mrs. Sargent, who became the wife of this progressive
horticulturist at Fair Oaks in 1902, is a woman of culture and
refinement, a native of Jamestown, N. Y., where she was the recipient of
collegiate advantages. By his former marriage, Mr. Sargent has a son, H.
P., who resides at Fair Oaks and is serving as deputy county clerk of
Sacramento county ; by his marriage to Adella B. Buckley, a native of
Fair Oaks, he has one son, Franklin Buckley Sargent, who is a prime
favorite with the paternal grandfather. In politics Mr. Sargent has voted the Republican ticket ever since he became a voter and, while always refusing official honors, he has not failed to support friends who are candidates, giving freely of his time and influence to promote their cause. While still a resident of Maine he was initiated into the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and served through the chairs of the local lodge, in which he rose to be past grand. In addition he was connected with the Encampment and served in its offices including that of chief patriarch. The Knights of Pythias also had the benefit of his intelligent identification for many years and the local lodge chose him to serve in various important capacities, including that of Chancellor Commander. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |