James D. Gage, b. 15 Jul 1832

MCCOLLUM, BATES, PAYNE, BARD, MONTAGUE

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 3/30/2004 at 07:42:54

Probably no man in Union Township presents a finer illustration of the results of industry and perseverance than this highly-respected resident of Sabula. He has arisen from an humble position in life to an enviable station, socially and financially. Nature endowed him with more than ordinary ability, and he has been fortunate in preserving and adding to his talents, like the wise man of Scripture. He came to Iowa in the spring of 1855, with very little capital, and operated a few years on rented land in Iowa Township, this county. He then purchased 120 acres of land, and was eminently successful as a farmer and stock-raiser. Prior to this, however, he had entered from the Government a half-section of land in Tama County, which he sold before making his purchase in Iowa Township, in 1860. For this latter he paid $15 per acre. It remained in his possession until the spring of 1885, when he parted with it for the snug consideration of $62 per acre. He had in the meantime transformed it from a tract of wild land into a highly cultivated farm. It is now owned and operated by Edwin Bryant, another of the prominent and prosperous men of the county. It is situated on section 16, and forms one of the most attractive homesteads in this region.

The landed possessions of Mr. Gage aggregate 1,220 acres of land, which has been brought to a thorough state of cultivation, and his wife has in her own right an improved farm of 240 acres in Dakota. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Gage finds it remunerative to deal in wagons and other road vehicles. The family residence is a fine structure, situated in the southern part of the town, and forms one of the most pleasant homes within its limits.

The native place of our subject was Burlington, eight miles from the city of Hamilton, in Upper Canada, where he was born July 15, 1832. His parents were Asahel and Nancy (McCollum) Gage, natives of the same place as their son. To them there were born nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: Mary A., Sarah, James D. (our subject), Elizabeth, Lorintha, Martha, and Rufus. Two sons, John and Asahel, yielded up their lives in the Union service during the late Civil War. John contracted sickness at Helena, Ark., and was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo. Thither James D. repaired in order to bring him home, but he died on the way, a short distance from Ft. Madison. A fortnight after the death of John, Asahel was wounded at the battle of Champion Hill, and two days afterward died in the temporary hospital erected near the battle-field. During those times which tried men's souls, Mr. Gage was President of the Union League two years, and Captain of a company of home militia organized in Iowa Township. He is a strong Republican, politically, and with his family a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he tenders a liberal and cheerful support. He has filled the offices of Township Assessor, Clerk, Trustee, and Justice of the Peace, occupying the latter office a few years in Sabula. In the meantime he has carried on the cultivation and improvement of his land, which now comprises seven farms, operated by tenants, all for cash rent.

The 13th of February, 1855, witnessed the marriage of James D. Gage and Miss Cornelia M. Bates, which took place at the bride's home in Burlinton, Ontario. Mrs. Gage is a native of the same place as her husband (Burlington, Ontario), and was born on the 13th of April, 1835. Her parents were Philo D. and Rachel Bates, who were natives of Connecticut. They are both deceased. This union resulted in the birth of seven children, the eldest of whom, Girard A., is in Dakota; Josephine R. is the wife of Milton Payne, of Bridgewater, Dak., her husband and G.A. Gage being engaged in the real estate and load business; Girard married Miss Jennie A. Bard, also lives in Bridgewater, and is the father of two children - James and Belle; Jennie E., the wife of Theodore Montague, who is a hardware merchant of Bridgewater, Dak.; Lizzie F., Mamie E., James P., and Phebe L. are at home with their parents. The family left the farm in May, 1885, and took up their abode in Sabula, where they live in a style corresponding to their means and station. The success of Mr. Gage has been phenomenal, as almost everything to which he has turned his hand has prospered. He is wide-awake, energetic, public-spirited and liberal, and a favorite citizen both in business and social circles. He has been no umimportant factor in the development of this part of the county, which owes its success to men of just such energy and brain, who possess the faculty of seldom abandoning a project which they have undertaken.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)