Henry H. Gage
Submitted by Carl Gage
Obituary, Standard, dated September 20, 1884
Facts in the Life of Henry H. Gage, Late of Fayetteville. Henry
H. Gage died at his home in Fayetteville on Tuesday morning. Mr. Gage was
born in South Bay, and was a life long resident of Onondaga county, well
known to many of the older inhabitants, having been a merchant over forty
years, doing business in Cicero, Syracuse, Manlius and Fayetteville. At
the time the Empire block was built in this city an effort was made to
attract business to the North side, and Mr. Gage, moving from Cicero established
himself there. Upon one side of him was E.T. Teft & Co. Dennis McCarthy
was his neighbor on the opposite side. "Seth" Williams also occupied
a store in this block. Mr. Gage was a resident of Syracuse when it changed
from a village to a city, giving his vote in favor of this measure. The
polls were at Salina. After a dissolution of a partnership with his brother,
Mr. Gage moved to Manlius village, living there six years, then to Fayetteville
where he reside more than thirty years. He was a strictly honorable business
man, holding the confidence and respect of the community. Although taking
much interest in political questions, Mr. Gage gave his first attention
to business, seldom accepting office. While living in Syracuse, he was
elected county superintendent of the poor, the board at the time, consisting
of three persons. He was again re-elected at the close of his term, holding
the office six years. His associates were the late Charles A. Baker of
this city, and the late James M. Munroe, of Elbridge. During his term of
office, thousands of fever stricken immigrants, victims of the Irish famine,
sought our shores but to die. So many were ill in Syracuse that the erection
of a hospital became necessary. This work fell upon Mr. Gage, who put up
a building in an isolated section of the city, on East Fayette Street,
near the canal, but such was the fear of the disease that a mob tore it
down. Mr. Gage immediately erected another on the same spot, moving a patient
in before it was enclosed, which gave immunity to the building. Although
but one or two devoted clergymen visited these patients, Mr. Gage gave
them constant attention, nearly falling victim to his devotion of duty.
He was very ill for some time with ship fever at his home on Willow Street.
A young daughter also contracted the fever from him, but owing to the precautions
taken, they were the only persons, outside of the immigrants, who took
the disease in Syracuse. In 1845 Mr. Gage married Matilda Joslyn, then
of Cicero, but afterwards of Syracuse. Mrs. Gage survives him, as do also
three daughters and a son, one son, an infant, having died in Manlius.
One of the daughters is the wife of Charles H. Gage and another the wife
of Louis H. Baum of this city. Two children, a daughter, Mrs. J.L.G. Carpenter,
and a son, T.C. Gage, reside in Dakota. Mrs Carpenter was with her father
at the time of his death. His son, who is engaged in mercantile business
in Aberdeen and also in wheat farming, will reach home today. He has scarcely
been back a month from a visit home, when he returns again to pay his last
respects to his father. Mr. Gage has been an invalid nearly six years.
His patient, hopeful cheerfulness will cause his loss to be greatly felt.
A sudden accession of his disease a fortnight ago was the immediate cause
of his death. At a special meeting of the directors of the National Bank
of Fayetteville, held at their banking house September 17, 1884, the following
preamble and resolutions were unaniomously adopted: Whereas, Almighty God
in His all wise providence has been pleased to take away by death, Henry
H. Gage, one of the dirctors of the bank, we, as a fitting tribute to his
memory, would adopt the following resolutions. Resolved, That, in the death
of Henry H. Gage, who was for the last ten years a member of this board,
and ever in attendance at our regular and special meetings, when not providentially
detained, aiding in our deliberations by his wise and prudent counsel,
we suffer a severe loss. Resolved, That we tender to the bereaved family
and mourning relatives our heartfelt sympathy in their deep affliction.
Resolved, that in testimony of our respect for the memory of the deceased,
the directors and officers of the bank will attend his funeral in a body.
Resolved, that a copy of the foregoing resolutions be sent to the family
of the deceased and be published in the Weekly Recorder. O.D. Blanchard,
Secretary, B.R.Palmer, President.
Return
to Obituaries page.
19 June 1997