Sargent Family Reunion
The Rushville Times, August 18, 1999
The 72nd annual reunionof the John and Sarah Potter Sargent family was held July 14-18 at Mt.Vernon and Rushville. There were 150 in attendance from 16 states withsix branches of the family represented. Of the remaining seven children,two died as teenagers, two families have been lost and members of the otherthree families responded, but were unable to attend.
The reunion started withregistration at the home of Chuck and Mildred Tindle on Wednesday, July14 and a tour of the Jefferson County Historical Village in Mt. Vernon,where the group was entertained by Ezekiel J. Johnson, Civil War entertainer.Ezekiel is a 16-year-old student at McLeansboro High School, Hamilton County.He takes the listener back in time to the Civil War era with a varietyof Union and Confederate songs by singing and playing the violin, changinguniforms to correspond with the songs.
A skit was presentedby the descendants of John, Jr., explaining their move to Mt. Vernon fromRushville, and why they returned to Schuyler County. This skit also revealedthat “love conquers all” when Carl Milliner came to Rushville to claimEdith as his bride and that determination would get Ernest to Florida wherehe became a carpenter and Clara would fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse.
Those taking part inthe skit were Dave Meyer, Robin Winall, Erik Tindel, Brandon Milliner,Stephanie Hunter, Ann Milliner, Wilma Diesen, Malcolm Milliner and narratorChuck Tindle.
A “Circuit Rider” cameby and welcomed the Sargent clan, as homesteaders to the community.
The walks on the museumgrounds were made up of memorial bricks and such a brick was purchasedin memory of the John and Sarah Sargent family.
Thursday morning everyonewas up bright and early for a bus tour of southern Illinois, conductedby Sidney Milliner. Sid is well versed in the history of this area andhas produced a set of tapes, recording this history.
In the winter of 1830-31,snow came early to Illinois and three feet fell over the state. In thespring of 1831, a late frost killed many crops in central and northernIllinois and an early frost in the fall of 1831 prevented crops from maturing,except in the extreme southern portion of the state. Many farmers formedwagon caravans to this part of the state and it reminded people of Jacob’sson going to Egypt to get grain, thus the name “Little Egypt.”
Woodlawn Cemetery locatedat Carbondale is the site of the first “Decoration Day.” Jack A. “Blackjack”Logan organized the Memorial Day celebration to honor the soldiers whofought and died in the Civil War.
Carbondale was establishedin 1876. While constructing the first R. R. in central Illinois, a highgrade of red sandstone called Borkydal Sandstone was discovered. It wasused in the construction of “Old Main,” the first building at S. I. U.,and the old State Capital building in Springfield.
The Murphysboro areaclaims the first coal mining operation in Illinois which began in 1810.
The main lodge at GiantCity State Park was the site chosen for the family style chicken dinner.Many of the caves in this area will show blackened roofs where runawayslaves hid during the Civil War.
The sighting of the baldknob cross was quite exciting and was even more impressive when seen upclose.
A tour was made of PierreMenard’s home near Chester. It is the finest example of Colonial Architecturein the Mississippi Valley. It was built for Mr. Menard, who later becamethe first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois.
Nearby is the only coveredbridge in southern Illinois, and one of three in the state. A visit toChester would not be complete without a stop to see the statue of “Popeye.”
The next stop was madeat the Charter Oak School near Schuline. It is one of the few remainingoctagonal shaped school buildings in the U. S. School was held here from1873 until 1953.
Returning from the bustour, the group reassembled at the West Salem Trinity United MethodistChurch for the evening meal. They were entertained with a harmonica concertby “Uncle Floyd” Wilderman. Bill Corry won the attendance prize.
Friday morning, someof the group returned to Rushville and the rest visited the National CoalMuseum at West Frankfort. This is the only vertical shaft coal mine opento the public in the world. Unfortunately, this group was unable to makethe descent, but they enjoyed the lecture and tour of the museum.
Those returning to Rushvillechecked in at The Virginia, Scripps Park and were greeted by cousins whocame only to the Rushville segment of the reunion. As they registered,they received instructions for a treasure hunt sponsored joint by the reunioncommittee and the merchants around the main street community square.
By 6 p.m., all cousinshad arrived from southern Illinois and from around the U. S. to enjoy thedinner served at The Virginia, and the musical, “The King and I,” presentedby Pandora’s Playhouse.
Saturday morning brightand early, the cousins were greeted from the bandstand in Central Parkby Betty Sue Ford, vice president. She introduced Mayor Lynn Smith whowelcomed the Sargents to Rushville and presented a proclamation from thecity council.
Wilma Diesen invitedeight cousins and one guest to the steps of the bandstand and presentedthem with WOW stickers. These persons were in attendance at the first Sargentreunion 72 years ago in Macomb. They were Kenneth Webb, Kenneth Sargent,Dwight Baxter, Donald Baxter, Bernard Sargent, Russell Sargent, Ruby (Webb)Wetzel and Earl Young. Henry Sargent, Louise (Baxter) McClelland, Ray Youngand Mary Frances (Ellis) Cook attended the reunion but were not presentfor the picture. Maurine (Walker) Corbridge was present at the first reunionas a guest. Unable to be present this year but were at the first reunionwere Virginia (Smith) Rogers and Walter “Pete” Sargent.
Steve Ford presentedJames Franklin with a T-shirt as encouragement to continue his campaignto make the turkey the national bird.
Mayor Smith helped withthe drawing for the winners of the treasurer hunt. Winners were BrandonMilliner, Edna Sargent, Esther Baxter, Jackie Sargent, Kathleen Welton,Clarence Sargent, Katie Sargent, Kristin Seabol, Lydia Seabol, Bill Schaal,Marlys Englestad, Andrea Seabol, Betty Schaal and Dean Whitehead.
Quickly disbanding dueto the threat of rain, the group attended a short business meeting at TheVirginia. President Joan Sudbrink called the meeting to order. Leota Meyer,secretary, read the minutes. The officers for next year are: president- Betty Sue and Ron Ford, vice president – Robin Winall, secretary – StephanieHunter, and historian – Stella Kozanecki.
Deaths were recordedfor 1999 were Sarah’s family, Virginia Lean Farguson Dutcher, VirginiaStanzuka Farguson, Larry P. Parish and Venae Marie Oldenburg; Thomas’ family,Harold Sargent, Marion Sargent, Evelyn Veronica Budde Sargent and ClydeEdward Leber; William Henry’s family, Charles Wesley Tucker; and Ethel’sfamily, Vickie Lynn Young.
A skit was presentedby Betty Whitehead about a candy store which specialized in “suckers.”She was assisted by the Montana Sargents as well as several others.
It was descovered thatseveral people had been involved in an “accident.” The Montana Sargentshelped them to chairs as they had vision problems and after tending tothe injuries, the bandages were removed from their eyes. The injured sawthat they each had a “babe in arms.”
Stella Kozanecki waspresented with a Norwegian wedding cake inside of which was hidden herfavorite fruit.
The meeting was adjournedfor lunch after which the auction was held. Many items were sold with livelybidding, helping to provide funds to start next year’s reunion. Dean Whiteheadfrom Panora, Iowa, was the auctioneer.
A short drive to theMcClelland farms was followed by a hayrack ride which led to the scenicHilltop Shelter House Site. Following the wiener roast, entertainment wasprovided by two families from the Jacksonville area who specialize in re-enactmentactivities. They described the style of clothing worn and kind of equipmentused during various early wars and time periods. One of the recreationsof the early periods was the paddle dance which was demonstrated. Manyof the cousins joined in and danced the evening away. The program was presentedby Mark and Pat Bently, daughters Samantha, Erin, Heather, and Dale andSusannah Ford and son Joshua.
Church services wereheld Sunday morning at the Lions Shelterhouse at Schuy-Rush Park. DavidHaney presented the sermon and Marlys Engelstad led the singing, accompaniedby Lotus Webb on the organ. After services, group pictures were taken andeveryone said goodbye until next year when we meed in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Those in attendance were:
Alabama–Bill and MarianBarron of Mobile; Orvis and Marlys Engelstad, Kristin Seabal, Andrea andLydia of Florence.
Arizona–Gene and MaryLeber of Peoria.
California–Bill andMilly Corry and Shirley Van Fossen of San Jacinto.
Florida–Don and StellaKozanecki of Ocala; Malcom and Bonnie Milliner, Brandon and Brittany ofLake Worth.
Illinois–Mary FrancesCook of Colchester; Ray and Pauline Young of Galva; Janet Shelts of Meredosia;Michael Shelts and Suzie Ivy of Jacksonville; Kenneth and Lotus Webb ofMacomb; Charles and Mildred Tindle, Sidney and Darla Milliner, John andAnne, Floyd and Mildred Wilderman, Ward Folsom, wife and two grandchildren,of Mt. Vernon; Donald and Esther Baxter of Kankakee; Andrew and Ruby Wetzel,Roger Wetzel and friend of Warsaw; Leota Meyer of Elgin; Ronald and BettySue Ford, Stephen Ford, Dale, Susannah and Joshua Ford of Chapin; SarahBeth Hartman of Mt. Carroll; Vi Sargent of Browning; Mark and Pam Tindle,Erik and Leigh Ann Chinn of Valier; Mark and Pat Bentley, Samantha, Erinand Heather of Winchester; Henry and Maxine Sargent, Kenneth and VirginiaSargent, Curtis and Garrett Cameron, Lelin and Betty Sargent, Terry andJoyce Williams, Kraig, Susanne and Alexa Prather, Russell and CatherineSargent, Martha Walker, Max and Cindy McClelland, Mike, Ashley and Andy,Chris Langwell, J. D. Buss, Jerry and Marilyn Prather, Herman and LouiseMcClelland, Dwight McClelland, Bernard and Jackie Sargent, Brandon andJoshua, Ryan Prather, Charles Miller, Dwight and Eloise Baxter, Morrisand Cindee McClelland, Mark, Matt, Lindsey and Nick, Corey Boehm, JenniferBaldus, Courtney Dean, Leroy and Dianne McClelland and Jeff, Jamie andBecky Salrin, Hannah and Rachel, Maurine Corbridge, all of Rushville.
Iowa–Dean and BettyWhitehead of Panora; Bill and Betty Schaal of Jefferson; Ava Waterman ofFarmington.
Michigan–Ron and WilmaDiesen of Midland.
Minnesota–Lois Smithand Mary Marhula of Baudette; Clarence and Edna Sargent of Osakis; AnnAnderson of Maple Grove; Ken and Marilyn Whitehead of Crosslake; Carl andJoan Sudbrink of Glenwood.
Missouri–Darlos Aldrichand Kathleen Welton of Liberty.
Montana–Bill and HelenPedula of Big Timber; Jim and Alice Sargent of Bozeman.
Nebraska–Paul and JudyJewett and Nalini of Lincoln; John and Gertrude Sargent of Omaha.
New Hampshire–Charlesand Marjorie Wheeler of Conway.
Ohio–Robin Winall ofCincinnati.
Oregon–Earl and DottieYoung of Newburg.
South Carolina–Davidand Ruth Meyer and Stephanie Hunter and Chip of Greenville.
Wisconson–Jim, Dianeand Katie Sargent of Brookfield.
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