H. J. Sargent

See also: John William Sargent (1852-1920), who performed as "Sargent the Merry Wizard".

H. J. Sargent
Born	January 1, 1843 Machiasport, Maine
Died	February 5, 1896 (age 53) Leeds, England

H. J. Sargent (1843-1896) was a magician, illusionist, actor and manager.

When four years of age, he was taken to Boston, Massachusetts, where he was educated. As a young man he made his professional debut as utility actor at the Boston Theatre during the season 1858. Shortly afterwards he went into the mercantile business and in 1861 went to New York City. At the breaking out of the American Civil War he enlisted in the 14th Regiment and served for three years.

In 1864 he returned to the stage as a magician, and made a tour of the United States. His last engagement as an actor was in 1868, at the Mobile Theatre in Alabama. He then managed a number of traveling troupes and in 1869 he became lessee and manager of the Lyceum Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts.

He next went to Indianapolis, Indiana and afterwards managed the National Theatre, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 1875 Sargent was engaged by Robert Heller to accompany him to California, and take the management of his business.

Mr. Sargent also returned to England, where he went from bad to worse, until he died in extreme poverty.