From: Smith, James H., 1880, History of Chenango and Madison Counties, New York. D. Mason & Co.. Syracuse, NY

Ruel Page
Pages 759 to 760

The original text includes an illustration of Ruel Page
 

        The subject of this brief memoir was born in Connecticut September 2, 1810.  He was a son of Daniel and Lucinda (Frost) Page, natives also of New England.  These parents came to Madison county and settled in the town of Cazenovia in 1815.  The father, at the time of his death, was living in the town of Fenner with his son James H., and was 92 years old.  The mother died about 1860, aged nearly 70 years.  They had nine children and all grew up and settled in Madison county except the youngest, (Hannah,) who is now living in MI.  Their names were as follows: Electa, (now dead,), Sarah, (now dead,) Ruel, Benjamin, Lydia A., Chauncey, Erastus, James H. and Hannah.  Ruel lived at home with his folks until he was 13 years old, attending school winters and working on the farm summers, and after that age he worked out by the month, and his wages were willingly devoted, as were also the wages of his brother Benjamin, to the purchase of a home for his parents, until he was twenty-one.
        When he reached his majority he went to Jamesville, <:760> Onondaga county, NY, and worked three years with George Tibbitts and learned the carpenter and joiner's trade.  He engaged for four years, but his last year's time he purchased of Mr. Tibbitts and built a house for John Stevens, at Eagle village.  He worked at his trade for about fifteen years He lived in Eagle village, in the town of Manlius, Onondaga county, twelve years, and then came to the town of Sullivan in 1849 and settled where his widow now resides.  He purchased 110 acres.  He added to his first purchase from time to time until he owned nearly three hundred acres in the immediate vicinity, and here he followed farming exclusively until he died, July 17, 1878.
        February 3, 1836, Mr. Page was united in marriage with Rosemond, daughter of Ichabod and Lydia (Potter) Fillmore, of the town of Manlius, Onondaga county, NY.  She was born May 4, 1816, in Manlius.  The fruits of this union were five children, namely: William H., born in Manlius, January 18, 1837, married Sophia Adams, of the town of Lenox, Madison county; Ann J., born in Manlius, September 16, 1839, married John Q. Adams, of Chittenango; Horace B., born in Sullivan, May 1, 1849, married Hattie Nourse, of Chittenango Falls; Hattie E., born in the town of Sullivan, February 20, 1854, married Charles M. Hall, of Chittenango; and Alfred E., born in Sullivan, November 10, 1860.  The death of Mr. Page was the result of an accident which occurred on July 10, (1878).  He was trying, during a terrible storm, to close his barn doors, when one of them was blown against him with great violence, inflicting injuries from which he died on July 17, (1878) as above stated.  By this sad accident the town of Sullivan lost an active, worthy, and prominent citizen.  He was a man of indomitable industry and perseverance.  Left to his own resources when young, by his irrepressible energy, frugality, sterling judgment and excellent management he acquired a competency.  He was a man of thrift; whatever he did was well done.  He was enterprising and public spirited.  The temperance reform and all benevolent enterprises possessed in Mr. Page an earnest friend and supporter.
        For many years he was a trustee of the Methodist society of Chittenango, and contributed liberally of his means towards the support of the church.  His death was deeply lamented, or "when a good man dies the people mourn."  His memory, fragrant and precious, is cherished by a fond family and a large circle of appreciative friends.