Sheriff William C. Sargent

Photo not dated, NEMHC S2386 portrait collection
Northeast Minnesota Historical Center

William C. Sargent, one of the earliest residents of Duluth and a public office-holder for many years, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1859. He came to Duluth at the age of 10, arriving at the Head of the Lakes on the steamer Meteor, Capt. Thor Nelson. (Source: Minn-920 W628; Who's Who in St. Louis County; Collier. 1932)

William C. Sargent turned to politics and gained recognition in his nomination for sheriff in 1896. He was elected by a handsome majority, and was re-elected in 1898 and 1900. (Source: History of the Great Northwest)

According to the R.L. Polk & Co. Directorty, 1898-1899, Sheriff Sargent's deputies were Deputy Sheriffs – V.A. Dash, W. J. Bates, H.N. Randall, F. L. Magie

About

1898 Sheriff Certificate

1898 County Jail

A Spirit of Independence

William C. Sargent was the youngest of ten children born to his parents. In 1896 he was elected sheriff of St. Louis County, serving for six years and discharging the duties of the office in an efficient and satisfactory manner. (Source: Duluth and St. Louis County Minnesota, Their Story and People, Volume III, The American Historical Society, 1921)

William C. Sargent was born at Boston, Mass. On December 4, 1859. When four years of age his father located in New York City, and the boy attended the public schools of the metropolis for a time. When ten years of age he became a student in the Faribault Military Institute, subsequently taking a course of instruction at St. John’s Seminary. He came to Minnesota when still in his teens, and though his father was at that time one of Duluth’s most successful business men, the lad was endowed with a spirit of independence. His first employment was as a teamster in the logging business. In 1880 he was appointed superintendent of the Duluth Blast Furnace Company. He turned to politics and gained recognition in his nomination for sheriff in 1896. He was elected by a handsome majority, and was re-elected in 1898 and 1900. (Source: History of the Great Northwest)