Charles is the son of Edwin A. Sargent and Abbie Currier Sargent

His first wife was Clara Rosina "Rose" Hart who he married in 1874 in Red Wing, Goodhue County, Minn.
His second wife was Clara S. Hill who he married in 1919 and she passed in 1921
His third wife was Marcella Clare Dow who he married in 1921 and she passed May 11, 1932. She is buried by her first husband Alfred S. Grant.



Children:
Waverly Burdelt Sargent
Edwin William Sargent
Fred Walter Sargent
Luverne Monroe (Louie) Sargent
Forrest Herbert Sargent
Ray Leslie Sargent
Clara Abbie Sargent Grant
Plato Earl Sargent
Lee Watson Sargent
Cecil Clyde Sargent


Story of the Sargent Family 7-4-1972
by Ella Peterson Sargent

Charles August Sargent, Lee's father. He was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts on January 18, 1850. He attended Red Wing, Minnesota schools and later taught in Burnside, Minnesota. One of his most famous pupils was the late Professor A. P. Anderson, the man who discovered Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat and who built and resided at Tower View Farm for many years. Charles married Rose Hart in 1874. They first lived on Spring Creek Road in Burnside, Minnesota where their first sons were born, Waverly, Edwin, and Fred. They later moved to Granite Falls, Minnesota area where Luverne, Forrest, Ray, and Clara were born. Charles lived on that farm until his death in 1939.

Charles "Charley" Sargent was a progressive farmer, building the first silos in the area. In addition to his dairy business and milk route, or "root", as he called it, he raised strawberries, which he shipped to other states, besides supplying the Red Wing market. A Red Wing boy in that area picked strawberries on the Sargent place and he gained work experience and enough money to buy his Fourth of July fireworks.

Charles Sargent was a much respected man in his home area. For 25 years he was an elder of the Presbyterian church. He was an ardent Prohibitionist all his life. He raised his large family with a firm hand, and taught them all to work.

He lived happily with his wife Rose. (More information on Rose under her notes)

One of my memories of the Sargent family is seeing them on their way to Sunday school and church on Sunday mornings. I would be playing outside of our home on West Main Street when they went by. First would be Waverly and his wife in their top buggy with one horse. Then would come a fine looking team of horses bringing a three seated carriage full to overflowing with boys. Papa and Mama and the youngest would be in the front seat, and many boys would fill the other two seats. I being a bashful little girl at the time, would avert my eyes as they passed. But Lee said he can remember me as a little girl, red haired with braids and a freckled face, and rather plump.

There was plenty of work to be done in this large household and farm. The dairy demanded a great deal of hard labor. They had around 40 cows to care for. The Sargent's were among the first to use milking machines in the area. They boys attended the country school in Burnside through eighth grade. Then each one took his turn on the milk wagon, delivering milk in Red Wing. This turn usually lasted two years. By then another boy was ready for the route, so there was plenty of help available in the family. After their stints on the milk wagon the boys went on with their education, many of them attending the agricultural school at the University Farm Campus in St. Paul. This school has now been discontinued.

During the early 1900's, Charles and Rose spent most of their winters in California to avoid the cold of Minnesota winters, as Rose was troubled with a bronchial and lung ailment. They also had interests in an orange ranch out there.

After Rose's death Charles married Mrs. Clara Hill, one of Rose's best friends. She lived only a few months after the marriage. Later he married Mrs. Marcella Grant, the widowed mother of Clara's husband, George Grant, in 1921. They lived happily together in Burnside for about 10 years. She died in 1932. He lived with Clara's family and in Louie's home until his death from old age in 1939.

The Sargent Family, Has been very much interested in farming or in related professions. There has been high standard of morals and religion throughout the years. A high standard of temperance and prohibition. None of the son's of Charles and Rose Sargent ever smoked or drank liquor. They are a very proud family and hard workers.

There has always been a strong family relationship as shown by our annual Fourth of July reunions. These picnics have been held each year for almost fifty years. Up to one hundred people have attended these gatherings.

Perhaps I should relate a few of the family anecdotes the Sargent's were found of telling. Though some people have considered the usually serious, most of them had a strong sense of humor. They enjoyed their family reunions, and the family members were very congenial.

The family business was delivering milk in Red Wing. I can recall seeing the Sargent or Rose Dairy milk wagon pass our home early in the morning with one of the boys driving a small but spirited team of horses. In the front part of the cart were several ten gallon cans filled with milk. When they reached the home of one of the customers, the driver would ring the bell, and a lady would come out with a small basin. The driver would fill it with a ladle from one of the cans, usually a pint or quart. (They didn't use as much milk then as nowadays.)

One morning, according to the story (believe it or not), one of the irate ladies came out of her house with a sharp complaint. She said, "Yesterday I found a small minnow in my milk!" "Well," the driver said, "what did you expect to find, 'a five pound catfish'?"

As the milk wagon had to cross the Hay Creek bridge, on the way to town. They used to joke about, how easy it was to add a little water from the creek. (I hope this stream wasn't as polluted as it is now.)


JoLynn Mangum Self
H.C. 66 Box 17-1
Sawyer, Oklahoma 74756
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