My Genealogy Hound

Stephen M. Gage, postmaster and general merchant at Walled Lake, Commerce township, Oakland County, was born in Lyon township, this county, July 7, 1841, and is a son of David and Malinda (Brown) Gage, both of whom were born in Wayne County, New York.

After his marriage in New York, David Gage came to Michigan in 1835 and secured 160 acres of government land in Lyon township, Oakland County, and on this farm our subject and the rest of the family were reared. The names of the children are as follows: William, deceased; Cornelia, who married James N. Wilson, lives at South Lyon and has four children, — Elma, David William and Charles; Stephen M., our subject; Jane, Mary and David, deceased; Frances, who married Z. D. Scott, lives in Duluth, Minnesota, and has two children, — Ruth and Alice; two who died in infancy; William, who was married to Dora Hallenbeck of New Hudson, Michigan, removed to Riverside, California, and has two children, Albert and Vena; and an infant that died soon after birth.

Stephen M. Gage obtained his education in the district schools of Lyon township and then took a course at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. In 1862 he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company B, 20th Reg., Michigan Vol. Inf.; after participating in many of the most serious and conclusive battles of the war, he was mustered out at Augusta, Maine, July 12, 1865, being granted an honorable discharge. He did a brave soldier’s part in the dreadful days at South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg, and on a thousand occasions was exposed to death while on the line, while skirmishing on picket duty and during marches through, the enemy’s country.

In April, 1865, while at home on furlough, the brave soldier was united in marriage with Jennie Wilson, who is a daughter of Washington Wilson, of Salem, Michigan. After the close of the war, he bought a farm located one mile east of New Hudson, where he resided some five years, selling it to purchase another one a mile west of Walled Lake, in Commerce township. This he also sold five years later and in 1877 embarked in a general mercantile business at Walled Lake where he was well established when a destructive fire burned him out in 1899. With characteristic energy, he immediately looked about for a new building, and finally bought the old school house, which he fitted for his purpose, and has since then conducted a first class general store. He is an ardent Republican and was appointed postmaster by the late President Harrison and was not disturbed during the administration of President Cleveland, a tribute to his personal popularity. Mr. and Mrs. Gage have two daughters, both settled conveniently near: Minnie, born in 1870, who married John B. Strong, a merchant of Laurium, Michigan, and has four children, — Stephen, Harold, Jenette and Amy; and Helen, who married Albert J. Church, of Walled Lake, Oakland County, and has one son, Benjamin.

Mr. Gage is fraternally connected with the Knights of the Maccabees. He and family belong to the Methodist Church. The family is one of both business and social prominence in Commerce township.