GAGE, Ebenezer S 1803-1859

GAGE, WALLACE, BLACK

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 11/27/2009 at 10:45:03

SPECIAL TRANSCRIBER NOTE: the following is a verbatim transcription by this contributor of the extensive obituary/biographical sketch for Ebenezer S. GAGE. It was found in the microfilm archives at the Fairfield Public Library of the early newspapers of Jefferson County, Iowa.

This obituary sketch describes the early days of the establishment of Fairfield and is valuable in providing perspective of early pioneer life in this area.

The obituary sketch, however, omits mention of family. Ebenezer married Electa WALLACE in May of 1837 and two children were born to them: Theodore and Cranmore. Theodore is buried in this same plot with his parents, with a Veteran's monument in his honor. Cranmore, his wife Sarah Jane BLACK, and two of their children are also buried in this plot. A large monument stands in this plot; it is double-sided with inscription on the south side for Ebenezer, Electa, and Theodore GAGE. On the north side are inscriptions for Cranmore, Sarah Jane, and two children William and Mary.

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Fairfield Ledger
June 3, 1859

Died - At Fairfield, on the 26th of May, 1859, Ebenezer S. GAGE, aged 56 years, 2 months and 23 days.

Mr. GAGE was born at Portland, Maine, but left the East to seek his fortune in the West. He came to Iowa late in the fall of 1839, and settled at Fairfield.

The site where now stands the town of Fairfield was purchased from the Indians in the fall of 1837, and was in their possession until the 21st of October 1838. Fairfield was selected and laid off as a town in April 1839, which, until 1843, was within eight miles of the Indian country.

At the time when Mr. GAGE first settled here there was not over a half dozen families in the neighborhood, and not over one thousand inhabitants in the county, and at the time of his death, was the oldest permanent resident of the town. (Dr. MOBERLY came in the spring previous, but moved to Missouri and was absent about four years.)

Mr. GAGE brought with him a stock of goods and opened the second store ever kept in the place, (Mr HUSTON had the first). He occupied a log cabin which used to stand on the public square, but has long since been removed and used for other purposes. Mr. GAGE had considerable trade, and had, during the winter, taken in several hundred dollars in cash. The next spring, when the Mississippi was open for navigation, he made his preparations to go to St. Louis to recruit his stock of goods. About the time he was to start, three strangers came to town, and learning that Mr. GAGE was going below to purchase goods, and supposing that he would take a large amount of money, laid their plans to rob him. At that time there being no public conveyance, Mr. GAGE, being disposed to economize his means, undertook to make the journey, as far as Ft. Madison, on foot. These three strangers, pretending that they were out looking at the country, made it in their way to fall in company with Mr. GAGE, and kept with him until they had got within a short distance of Ft. Madison, when falling behind hem, he not suspecting any danger, one of them knocked him senseless with a club.

They beat him till they supposed he was dead, robbed him of all his money, dragged him into a ravine, hid his body in some brush, and immediately made their way to St. Louis.

Mr. GAGE lay in this condition for several hours, but, instead of being embraced in the perpetual sleep of death, as his assailants supposed, he came to life again, and though suffering much from his wounds, he made out to get to Ft. Madison, where he procured medical aid and was kindly cared for, and as soon as he was able, took a boat for St. Louis. While the boat was landing at the wharf, he saw the robbers on the levee, going into a drinking house.

Mr. GAGE immediately went to the Police, had them arrested, and the next day started with them up the river for Fort Madison. It so happened that the district court was in session, and in less than two weeks after the robbery was committed, they were all three indicted and sentenced to the Penitentiary; the longest for twenty, and the shortest for five years.

Although Mr. GAGE succeded in bringing the offenders to justice, he only got a small portion of his money; for they had spent all but about one hundred dollars before they were arrested.

Notwithstanding Mr. GAGE apparently recovered from his wounds, his head was ever afterwards affected; even in his last sickness he was afflicted with severe pains in his head, and no doubt the injuries received on this occasion hastened his death.

Notwithstanding this misfortune, Mr. GAGE, by his industry and perseverance, long before his death had acquired a competency of this world's goods, to give him an independent living. Soon after this misfortune he quit merchandising, and turned his attention to farming, and was known as one of the neatest and most flourishing farmers of the county. Mr. GAGE was one of the first members and founders of the Congregational church in this place, and the largest contributor to the erection of the first meeting house built by that society, and has ever contributed liberally towards the support of that church.

In his habits he was industrious and frugal; saving all his income, not spending unnecessarily, yet at the same time generous hearted and benevolent, bestowing charities without making parade or show acting, upon the principle, in his deeds of benevolence, to "not let his left hand know what his right hand did." And there are many poor persons who can testify to his acts of benvolence - amoung whom is the author of this sketch - which have never been known to the world.

Mr. GAGE had been for more than thirty years a member of the fraternity of Free Masons, and was one of the charter members of Clinton Lodge No. 15, organized at Fairfield, on the fifteenth day of Sept., 1847, and at the election of officers he was elected and performed the duties of the first Secretary of the order. He was a very devoted member of the Fraternity, and a constant attendant at their meetings and at all times took a great interest in the welfare of the order. At the last meeting of his Lodge he was present, and addressed his brethren in a manner which made a deep impression; and in his closing remarks he said: "I have long been a Mason; I hope to die one, and be buried one" --- which hopes were realized.

Mr. GAGE took a very active part in having the town of Fairfield incorporated, and was a member of the first council, which were noted for the stand which they took in preventing the Court House from being built on the Public Square. Under the administration of that Council, the Public Square was enclosed and planted with trees. In preventing the Court House from being built in the Square, and in surrounding it with a fence and planting it with trees, Mr. GAGE was one of the most active members of the Board.

Mr. GAGE had been complaining of not feeling well for some time, but had been up and attending to his business till within thirty hours before his death, when he was suddenly taken down, and before many of his friends knew there was anything serious the matter with him he was no more.

The Free Masons took charge of the corpse, and buried it after the ceremonies of their order. The services took place at the Congregational Church, and an appropriate sermon was preached by Rev. R. Wilkinson. Though it was at a time of the year when everybody is busy, yet the house was full, and in the congreation might be seen nearly every old citizen of the town and surrounding country.

The large concourse of people who attended the funeral, showed that the deceased was much respected by his acquaintances. And the death of Mr. GAGE has made a vacancy in the social circles of Fairfield, which is much felt, and will be long regretted by those who were acquainted with the deceased.

N.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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Note: Buried at Old Fairfield Cemetery, Lot 178. The large double-sided monument, described at the top of this entry, sits on this plot. There is also, however, an individual headstone for Ebenezer S GAGE that is embedded flat in the soil on this plot, with the death date now visible in the cleared portion. Although not now visible, this headstone reportedly has the Free Mason emblem on it.