Silas Gage, familiarly known by the people of Winslow and vicinity as one of the earliest settlers of this county, first opened his eyes to the light in the town of Silver Lake, Susquehanna Co., PA, Nov. 7, 1813. His father, Isaac Vail Gage, was a native of Schoharie County NY and his grandfather who emigrated from England while a young man, was one of the earliest settlers in the vicinity of Duanesburg, NY where he opened a hotel and continued to reside during his natural life. There with his excellent wife he reared a family, and there Isaac Gage, the father of our subject, grew to manhood and became acquainted with his future wife, Miss Polly Lozier, who was aborn in that vicinity. Her father was in the Revolutionary War seven years, after which he located in Duanesburg,where he spent the remainder of his days.

After his marriage Isaac Gage, with his young wife, moved to PA during the early settlement of Susquehanna County and assisted in building up the town of SIlver Lake. He first purchased a tract of timber land where he cleared a good farm, and lived until after the death of his wife. While the late Civil Was was in progress he left that region and came to the West, spending the last years of his life in Winslow Twp. where he died in 1878. The eleven children of the parental family included 3 sons and 8 daughters.

Our subject was the second child and eldest son of his parents. He assisted his father in claring the farm in PA and in tilling the soil, remaining in his native State until the spring of 1835, then, starting for the West, he first embarked on a raft on the Allegheny, whence he moved up the Ohio to Cincinnati, where he took a steamer to Galena. After six weeks sepnt in Jo Daviess County, he came over the line into Stephenson on foot, crossing the Pecatonica river on the 15th of May. He was still unmarried, and made his home at various places in the neighborhood where he now lives. There was at that time one log cabin on the present site of Winslow. Freeport was nowhere, and there were no indications of the village of Lena for 20 years afterward. Young Gage worked by the month, lived economically and saved his wages, and in due time purchased a yoke of oxen and made a claim to the land which constitutes his present homestead. In 1836 he erected a log cabin on his claim, the lumber being sawed at a Winslow mill. This dwelling, which was destined to furnish a home to his future family, was erected after the fashion of those days, with a "shake' roof, but with a plank floor, the first of the kind in the county. A large fireplace extended nearly across one side, and the chimney was built without of mud and sticks. To this modest abode he conducted his bride in November of that year, and they commenced housekeeping, probably m ore happy and contented than thousands in these later days who are struggling so desparately to keep up with the "fashions." This dwelling also constituted the early hoem of their children who were born beneath its roof and played about the doors shaded by hop vines until in 1857, when the erection of a more modern structure was begun, which in due time took the place of the pioneer cabin.

When Mr. Gage first located in Winslow Twp. the nearest market and depot for supplies was at Galena, whose mines were being worked by numbers of men, requiring for their sustenance the farm produce which was raised in that vicinity. Wild game was plenty, and included deer, bear and turkey in such numbers as to be almost troublesome. It was not many years, however, before the advancing feet of civilization frightened away these denizens of the forest, until their meat became a luxury difficult to obtain.

The wife of Mr. Gage was formerly Miss Harriet M. Eells, and they were married Nov. 9, 1836. Mrs. G. is a native of Chautauqua County NY born July 6, 1821 and the daughter of James and Harriet (Gaylord) Eells, of whom mention is made in the sketch of William H. Eells on another page of this album. Of the children born of this union, five are living, namely; Isaac V. and Amon, of Winslow Township; Amelia, the wife of W.W. Wright; Ellen, Mrs. William Farnum, and Mary, who remains on the homestead. Harriet died in 1841 when 13 years old and Henry in 1865 aged three. Araminta became the wife of George Chawgo and died in Winslow Twp. when 27 years of age. John G. died when 19 years old, and Phoebe when 27. When first exercising the right of suffrage Mr. Gage was a member of the old Whig party, but when that was supplanted by the Republican party he endorsed the principles of the latter, with which he has since voted. Religiously his family are members of the United Brethren Church.

Transcribed by Christine Walters
History of Stephenson County 1888 Portrait & Biographical Pg 578