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JOHN S. SARGENT, one of the most extensive farmers of Hutton Township, is the owner of nearly 600 acres of land, two-thirds of which is under a high cultivation and the balance in valuable timber land.  He has one of the finest residences in his locality.  It was erected in 1884, and is situated on a gentle rise of ground which commands a fine view of the surrounding country.  Mr. Sargent has given much attention to the raising of fine stock, and is in all respects a model agriculturist and citizen, and has materially assisted in the development of the resources of Cental Illinois, and has had much to do in shaping its moral and educational welfare.
     Our subject is the descendant of an excellent family.  His father, Stephen Sargent, was born in Candia, N. H., July 1, 1797, and then thirteen years of age traveled with his father to a point in New Jersey, near the New York line, where the parents left the child and was never seen or heard from afterward.  The boy, after recovering from his dismay and astonishment, set out to look for work, in which he was successful, and maintained himself in that locality for the following three years in the Buckeye State, then, going to Louisville, Ky., he learned the trade of a stonemason.  There he also purchased an interest in a flatboat, with which he made a few trips to New Orleans and back, and in 1836 migrated to this State, locating at New Richmond, now Westerfield, in Clark County.  There he engaged in general merchandising, and some years later purchased a farm upon which he removed and remained until his death.  He prospered greatly and became the owner of 600 acres of land, a portion of which was willed to his son, our subject.
     Stephen Sargent was married late in life to Nancy (Chenoweth) Harland, daughter of John and Rebecca (Rose) Chenoweth, and the widow of Jacob Harland, the wedding taking place Oct. 18, 1842.  Mrs. S. was born Mar. 25, 1805, in Jefferson County, Ky., and is still living on the old homestead.  Her parents were natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, and by her union with Mr. Sargent she became the mother of two children: Margaret R. and John S., of our sketch.  The former, who is now deceased, married Charles H. Rice and became the mother of six children, of whom only two are living - Carrie E. and H. C.  The death of Stephen Sargent took place at his home in Hutton Township, Nov. 30, 1878, after he had reached the advanced age of eighty-one years, four months and thirty days.  He had been widely and favorably known in Coles County and the funeral services were attended by a large concourse of people, who gathered to pay their respects to one of the most highly valued citizens of the county.  We have already detailed the incidents of his early life.  He was married when forty-five years of age and up to that time had taken but little interest in religious matters.  He then became interested in the theories of Swedenborg and was satisfied that his doctrines the most nearly coincided with his ideas upon these important subjects, and to these he adhered thereafter.  Upon being compelled by failing health to abandon active labor, he devoted the funds which afterward accumulated from various sources in assisting men without means to secure homes, and seldom closed an interview with anyone without touching upon religious subjects and endeavoring to impress the truth he held dear upon others. He entertained peculiar views in regard to woman suffrage, arguing that as husband and wife were one, their names should be received only as one vote.  He would require intelligence and respectability, and that the Legislative proceedings should be attended and watched over by the wives of the Legislators.  He sincerely believed that these measures would in due time become necessary for the preservation of the nation.  He left to his son and daughter the duty of distributing each year where they were likely to do the most good, $100 worth of books pertaining to Swendenborgian doctrines.
     The first husband of Mrs. Stephen Sargent, Jacob Harland by name, was born in Warren County, Ohio, Feb. 18, 1799, and was married to Miss Chenoweth, Nov. 7, 1822.  His death took place in Clark county, Ill., Aug. 7, 1836.  The five children of this marriage were Burns; Louisa, who married John Short and is a resident of Charleston; Amanda, who died in October, 1830; George, who died in Springfield, Ill., after serving as a Union soldier, and Martin C., a resident of Guthrie County, Iowa.  The mother of our subject was born in Kentucky and emigrated to Vincennes, Ind., with her parents when a young lady, riding on a pack saddle the greater part of the way.  The family afterward removed to Clark County, this State, where she was married to and resided with Mr. Harland until his death.  John Chenoweth, the father of Mrs. S., was born Mar. 15, 1780, and died in Clark County, Ill., Mar. 18, 1855.  His wife, Rebecca, was born Jan. 18, 1785, and died July 17, 1846.  They were buried in the old family cemetery on the homestead in Clark County. 
     John S. Sargent received a common-school education and remained with his parents until after the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Co. C, 68th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was assigned to patrol duty around Washington and Alexandria.  He was then but sixteen years of age, and remained in the army until the close of the war.  After receiving his honorable discharge be returned home and took chare of his father's farm, and on the 24th of March, 1870, was married to Miss Maria A. Turner.  Mrs. Sargent was born June 3, 1848, and is the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth J. Turner, natives of Kentucky.  Of her union with our subject there have been eight children born, namely:  Margaret P., born Jan. 28, 1871; Jessie R., Apr. 23, 1873; Ernest, born Feb. 20, 1874, and died Aug. 23, 1876; Ada O., born Sept. 15, 1875; Coral T., Jan. 15, 1878; Paul T., July 23, 1880; St. John, Mar. 23, 1884, and one who died in infancy unnamed.
     Mr. Sargent has been prominently connected with township matters since reaching manhood, holding the offices of School Director and Trustee, and casting his influence upon the side of prohibition.  He was a candidate for State Senator on the Prohibition ticket in 1884, and is a t present Chairman of the County Committee.  With his family he belongs to the New Jerusalem Church.  Mr. and Mrs. Sargent removed to Urbana, Ohio, to educate their children at the university.  This being accomplished they returned to the farm, where our subject experiences no greater pleasure in life than watching the products of the seasons and embellishing his homestead as his means and tastes may dictate.
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THOMAS T. SHOEMAKER

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WILLIAM SHOEMAKER

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J. O. SILVERS

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JAMES F. SNOWDEN, M. D., is a young physician of Pleasant Grove Township, whose ability and skill are rapidly placing him in the foremost ranks of his profession.  He was born Aug. 23, 1849, and is the son of John F. and Maria (Glenn) Snoden a history of whom is given in the sketch of William D. Snowden.  Dr. Snowden was reared on his father's farm, and received an excellent common school education.  From boyhood he possessed a studious and thoughtful mind, which was expanded and developed by judicious self-instructoin at home.  He is one whom Nature has apparently chosen to serve in her temple of healing, and those only make the truest and best physicians.
     Our subject was married, Feb. 14, 1869, to Miss Hackley.  Mrs. Snowden is the daughter of John R. and Susanna Hackley and was born Apr. 25, 1849, in Grayson County, Ky.  It was not until after his marriage that Dr. Snowden decided to enter the medical profession.  He first purchased land and engaged in farming until 1879, and then yielding to his inclinations, began the study of medicine, applying himself closely to his chosen work at home, under the instruction of Dr. P. A. Kemper.  In 1882 he entered the medical college at Indianapolis, and was graduated in 1884.  In order to perfect himself still more in his profession he has recently taken a physician's course at one of the medical colleges in Chicago.  He makes a specialty of treating diseases of the eye and car, and his practice extends over a large area.
     Dr. Snowden has never connected himself with the Democratic party in politics, but since entering the medical profession has given little attention to public affairs.  Formerly he served in several local offices, but his time and interests are concentrated upon the professional duties of a large practice.  Dr. and Mrs. Snowden have an interesting family of four children - John  H., Luella, Delia and Emma.
Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album Coles Co., Illinois - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Brothers.  1887 - Page 398

WILLIAM D. SNOWDEN is one of the rising young men of Pleasant Grove Township, and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of Illinois.  He was born Aug. 20 1858, and is the son of John F. and Maria L. (Glenn) Snowden.  The former was born Feb. 19, 1819, in Overton County, Tenn.  When he was about nineteen years of age his parents, James and Elizabeth Snowden left their Eastern home and moved to Illinois, settling in Cumberland County.  He had been trained from boyhood in the details of farming, and Illinois was at that time giving promise of her future success as an agricultural State.  He purchased land in Coles County, and in 1846 became a permanent citizen there.  On the 3d of September, 1848, he was married to Miss Maria Glenn.  Mrs. Snowden was born in Hardin County, Ky., Jan. 23, 1825, and is the daughter of James and Lydia (Harris) Glenn.
     After his marriage, Mr. Snowden carried on a successful farming business in Pleasant Grove Township, where he passed the remainder of his life.  He began the world poor, and by his own exertions acquired a fine estate, containing over 400 acres of valuable land, all of which is under cultivation.  But the hardships and privations of pioneer life wore upon his physical constitution, and his life went out in the prime of manhood, his death occurring May 10, 1865.  Mr. Snowden was a man of great intelligence and force of character, and was interested in promoting the welfare of the community.  He was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and had held at different periods several official positions in the township.  He was a Baptist in religious belief, although not outwardly connected with the church.  His widow was early left to take the place of both mother and father to her young family of seven children, and well has she fulfilled the trust.  She is still Jiving, and resides on the old homestead.  The names of her children are as follows: James F., Alvin C; Joseph W. died at the age of twenty-two years; prior to his death he was a telegraph operator.  Harriet E. is the wife of Thornton Oilman; William D., Thomas J. and Anna.
     William D. Snowden received a thorough education at the common schools and graduated from Lee's Academy, June 22, 1882.  Immediately after his graduation he began the study of law, and is now a student with Stevens, Lee & Horton, of Peoria, Ill. He is a young man of promising abilities in his profession.  Life with all its possibilities yet lies before him, and he is one for whom all may redict a bright and prosperous career.
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