Gage, Nelson William, Sr

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Birth

Nelson William Gage, Sr was born September 10, 1864 in the Town of Knox, Albany, NY, the son of Hiram Gage. His siblings were:

• Baron White Gage
• Roba Frances Gage Osborn, Tarrytown, NY
• Alice C. Gage Baker, New York

Marriage & Children

Nelson W. Gage, Sr. married Rose H. Elliott on Decmber 23, 1916. Their children were:

• Shirley Elliott Gage
• Nelson William Gage, Jr.

Death

Nelson William Gage, Sr. died October 7, 1937 in New York City, NY and was buried in Lee's Church Cemetery Town of Knox, Albany, NY.

Obituary

Obituary - Nelson W. Gage, Sr., Altamont Enterprise — Friday, October 8, 1937

Nelson Gage, 73, Publisher, Dies Near Delanson

Since retiring in 1931, had gained wide recognition for rare breed of cattle

Nelson W. Gage, 73, retired publisher and brother of the late Baron W. Gage, vice-president of the F. W. Woolworth Company, died early Wednesday morning (October 7, 1937) at "Westwind," his home on Delanson, R. D. 3, after a four day illness.

Mr. Gage was born in the town of Knox, the son of Hiram and Mercy White Gage. Mr Gage, in 1892, founded the Gage Publishing Company, and for some time conducted a branch of the publishing business in Delanson. We served as its president until retiring in 1931.

He also received wide recognition for his herd of pure bred red-and-white Holstein cattle, the only owner of a herd of this type in the nation. In explaining this species of cow, Mr. Gage commented recently: "Except for color, they're just ordinary cows - no more milk and noless, no better grade milk and no worse than the average Holstein's"

Maintenance of this breed has just been a hobby of the retired publisher, yet he spent hundreds of dollars a year keeping up this hobby.

Explaining the origin of the breed, Mr. Gage said recently: "It started a long time ago in Germany and Holland. The original Holstein-fresian breed was a lowland breed. For lack of muscle exercises and hardy highland feed, it was a scrawny breed. The breeders were anxious about the condition... So they appointed a commission to go into the Swiss highlands and purchase highland bulls with which to strengthen the strain. In the high valley of Simme, such bulls were found, and bought. The bulls were red and white and their strain persists in the blood of the Holstein-Fresian breed today.... I've bought many a red and white which didn't turn out to be true Holstein, but the search hass been worth the reward. I've got, now, every creature in my I can vouch for as to breeding."

Mr. Gage was a life member of Mamaro Lodge, No. ^53, F. & A. M., Altamont, conducted Masonic services at the late home yesterday afternoon. The body was taken to Troy for cremation. He also belonged to the New York Athletic club, Veterans of the 7th Regiment, the New York National Guard, and the Electrical Associates club.

Survivors include his widow, the former Rose Elliott, one son, Nelson W., Jr., one daughter, Shirley, and two sisters, Mrs. Alice Gage Baker, New York, Mrs. R. G. Osborn, Tarrytown.

Altamont Enterprise - Friday, October 8, 1937

Obituary - Nelson W. Gage, Sr., The Springfield Daily Republican, Springfield, MA — Friday, October 15, 1937

DOG BARKS by MILTON DANZIGER Changed Holstein Color There- is a humorous poem, "What! Change the Name of Arkansas?" often rendered on stag occasions with fervor and pseudo-serious implications, which reminds Dog Barks of the man who changed the distinctive black and white Holstein cattle to red and white. This man was Nelson W. Gage, chairman of the board of directors of the Gage Publishing company (electrical trade publications) who died last week at his home in Delanson, N. Y., at the ago of 73.

Mr Gage was the only owner of a pure-bred herd of red and white Holstein dattle In the- United States, his was quoted in 1936 by the Associated Press as saying: "I'm the only man in the United States who was darn , fool enough to do it." He added: "Except for color, they're just ordinary cows—not more milk and no less, no better grade milk and no worse than the average Holsteins:" He spent thousands of dollars on his hobby, which he began 18 years ago by advertising in agricultural papers for red and white Holsteins. Holsteins.. are almost always black and white.

The Springfield Daily Republican, Springfield, MA - October 15,1937

Additional Media

In Memoriam

AUTUMN AT WEST WIND FARMS

As Mother Nature with her seasonal helper Jack Frost once, again turns field and forest into a colorful spectacle, I turn my thoughts back to some four years ago this month.

At this time, one of our tried and true friends was taken from out midst. I am writing in memory of this grand old gentleman, a publisher and diversified farmer. Mot only does this time of year bring back deep sorrow to us, but also a memory of his efforts to beautify his fields and woodlands which he so relentlessly and enthusiastically carried out. About this time of year of before, one would usually find him with some of his men afield on his Bozenkill farm trimming and beautifying nature's offering, the trees. His interest was centered on the stately elm but waned scarcely little even to the scantily foliaged and spindling sumac in its place in fence row or picturesque hedge line.

So as we come into this autumnal splendor, I can not help but think how faithfully this cultured gentleman and nature worked together at this time of year.

Thus as it was God's will to take him, it seems that he went to rest beholding and admiring the things he cared for so much, the trees, in all their splendor, each trying to excel the other in contrasting colors and beauty so capably carried out by Mother Nature, and the relentless efforts of a man to keep them trimmed and shapely, by name, Nelson W. Gage.

-Kenneth Barber

Altamont Enterprise - October 24, 1941

Census Data

Nelson W. Gage in the 1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Nelson W. Gage
Age: 15
Birth Year: abt 1865
Birthplace: New York
Home in 1880: Knox, Albany, New York
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: New York
Mother's name: Mercy M. Gage
Mother's Birthplace: New York
Occupation: At School
Household Members:
Name Age
Mercy M. Gage 50
Barron W. Gage 20
Alice C. Gage 18
Roba F. Gage 17
Nelson W. Gage 15

Sources

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