John T. Gager

GAGER, THURSTON, GROUPE, SUCHER, TALMAGE, FOOTE, GRIMES, AUSTIN, JENKS, MILLER, PERKINS, PAUL, SPEARS

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 1/31/2002 at 20:35:00

John T. Gager is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres on Section 9, Bethel Township, which has been his home since 1872. The land is divided into fields of convenient size, which have been placed under a high state of cultivation and the farm is improved with all modern accessories. It has a good residence, barns and other outbuildings, fine grades of stock are there raised and the entire surroundings indicate the care and supervision of a thrifty manager.

Our subject was born in Barker Township, Broome County, NY, November 11, 1840, and is the fourth child in a family of ten children.
On both the paternal and maternal side he descended from respected families of English origin, which, in Colonial days, were founded in this country. His father Ambrose S. Gager, was born in Otsego, NY, in 1812, and in the same year his mother, whose maiden name was Amanda Thurston, first opened her eyes to the light of day in Chenango County, NY. She is still living and makes her home in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas. but the husband died at Downer's Grove, Du Page County, Illinois in 1874. Harrison, their eldest child, and Martha, the second, died in infancy; Anna M., who was born in New York, in 1837, is the wife of George Groupe, with whom she removed in 1880 to Kenoma, MO., where they live with their two children; John T. is the next younger; Charles M., born April 14, 1843, is married and resides in Bethel Township; Joshua R., born October 4, 1845. is married and resides in Aurora, Illinois, where he is engaged in farming and jobbing, owning one hundred acres, partly within the city limits; Mary C., who was born April 27, 1848, became the wife of James Sucher, of Downer's Grove, Illinois, and died of cancer of the stomach July 30, 1885, leaving three children; Lydia M., born in New York in 1850, is the wife of George H. Talmage, and the mother of two children, their home being in San Marcus, Texas, where Mr. Talmage owns a fine residence and also one at Hinsdale, near Chicago, Illinois; Abbie, born in 1853, is the wife of Daniel Foote, by whom she has one child, and they reside in Boerne, Texas, her mother making her home with them; Ambrose S., born in York, Illinois, in 1855, was married in Missouri to Miss Maggie Grimes and resides in Boerne, Texas, with his wife and one child.

During the boyhood of our subject his family removed to Illinois, locating in Downer's Grove, where, after he had attained to man's estate, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah F. Austin, the wedding taking place October 29, 1865. She was born December 23, 1841, in New York, and is the daughter of Burgess and Lucinda (Jenks) Austin, the former a native of Massachusetts. and the latter of the Empire State. In their family were five children of whom Sarah F. is the third in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Gager have been born ten children -- Clara A., born July 27, 1866, has been engaged in teaching in the schools of this county; Clarence H., born October 30, 1867, married Eliza Miller and resides on a farm adjoining the old homestead; Charles G., born September 4, 1869, is at home; Ada L., born April 21, 1871, died of diphtheria April 28, 1878; Edith, born March 11, 1873, died on the 13th of September following of cholera infantum; Eva M., born August 16, 1874; George T., born October 13, 1876, died May 18, 1877; Alice M., born July 2, 1878; and Elmer E. arnd Ernest R., twins, born November 29, 1881. The mother of this family died September 18, 1886, of quick consumption, and on the 2nd of September, 1888, Mr. Gager wedded Mrs. Sarah A. Paul, widow of Oscar S. Paul, a native of Monroe County, NY. She was born October 17, 1835, and is the daughter of Oliver and Catherine (Spears) Perkins. Her father was born in Rhode Island in 1800, and her mother, a native of the Empire State, was born 1808. Sarah A. Perkins became the wife of Oscar S. Paul in 1853, and unto them were born five children, all yet living -- Edward M.. Carrie R., Frank M., Laura A. and Kittie A. Mr. Paul died of typhoid fever om Walworth County, Wis., in 1876.

(John T. Gager enlisted at York, Illinois, July 29, 1862 ... member of Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Infantry. Story of service during Civil War omitted)

Mr. Gager returned to the parental home at York, Illinois, at the close of the war. and in October following was married. He devoted himself assiduously to farming upon land which he purchased with the savings of his army salary, and in 1872 came to Fayette County, locating on a farm which since has been his home. He is a stalwart Republican in politics and has taken an active interest in everything calculated to enhance the interests of the country. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church and are respected citizens of the community, held high in the esteem of their many friends. He belongs to the Hawkeye Post, No. 289, G. A. R., and was formerly a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. The young people belong to the Good Templars of Alpha.

from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Album of Fayette County, Iowa (pages 352-354)