C. W. SAGE, to whom is due the credit of having improved two highly cultivated farms, is one of the most industrious and progressive agriculturists of Taylor county. He was born in Mercer county, Illinois, on the 9th of June, 1853, and is a son of Charles E. and Keziah M. (NORRIS) SAGE. The father was a native of Saratoga, New York, where he was reared and married. He engaged in farming in Saratoga county, that state, for some time, and then removed to Michigan, where he resided for two years. Continuing his westward journey he next located in Illinois, where he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Mercer county and opened up two farms, in the operation of which he continued for some time. Subsequently he removed to Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, and from there to Van Buren county, Iowa, finally locating in Knoxville, where his death occurred in 1871. In his family were two sons and five daughters, of which number C. W. SAGE, of this review, and three sisters still survive.

C. W. SAGE was a little lad of four years when he accompanied his parents to Galesburg, and there he was reared to manhood. He acquired a good education in the common schools of that city and remained under the parental roof until he attained years of maturity. He then learned the baker's trade and was engaged in that line of activity for three years, when, thinking to find agricultural pursuits more congenial and profitable, he withdrew from that business and began working by the month on a farm in Knox county, Illinois, his time was thus employed from 1878 until 1881, at the end of which period he came to Iowa and purchased land in Marshall township, Taylor county. He resided thereon but one year, however, and then sold the property and invested in one hundred and sixty acres in Grant township, that farm forming the nucleus of his present possessions. When he purchased it, the land was only partially improved and he at once directed his entire energies to its further cultivation. As time passed by he prospered in his enterprise and was able to add from time to time to his original purchase until his home farm now consists of two hundred and forty-eight acres, all under a high state of cultivation. The excellent condition of his farm is due to his intense energy and industry. Upon the home place he has erected a neat and attractive residence, has built a substantial barn and good outbuildings, and has enclosed his fields with well-kept fences, while he has also set out a large orchard and a beautiful grove of evergreen, arbor vitae and white pine. He combines general farming with stock-raising interests, making a specialty of fattening hogs, while he also raises high-grade horses, being the owner of several fine animals and having in his possession one especially fine team which has been awarded premiums at various fairs. In the conduct of his various business interests he has been extremely active and industrious, in fact carrying on the work of two men, and these qualities have been the salient characteristics of the very gratifying success which is today his.

On the 29th of March, 1885, Mr. SAGE was united in marriage to Miss Ida SHAWLER, who was born in Warren county, Illinois, but reared to maturity in Ringgold county, Iowa. Her father, Richard SHAWLER, was a farmer by occupation and was numbered among the early pioneer settlers of that county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. SAGE have been born four children, as follows: Frank, assisting his father on the home farm; Lila, the wife of Frank HOUSE, a farmer of Grant township; Marie and Mildred, still under the parental roof; and Lena, who passed away at the age of thirteen months.

Mrs. SAGE and the two eldest children are members of the Christian church of Clearfield, in the work of which they are deeply interested and the teachings of which form the guiding influences of their lives. Politically Mr. SAGE gives stalwart allegiance to the republican party and has served as road supervisor. He was one of the promoters of the first telephone company of the county, the line extending from Maloy to Clearfield, and has been identified with various other improvements instituted throughout the county. Public-spirited in an eminent degree, he does all in his power to further those measures and matters which have for their object the substantial upbuilding and growth of the community, and the consensus of public opinion accords him a high place in the ranks of Grant township's representative citizens.

SOURCE:  CROSSON, Frank E. History of Taylor County, Iowa: From the Earliest Times to 1910
p. 280 - 282. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910

Photographs contributed by Carla Hall Ott, July of 2009

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, 2008