Biographies from The History of Columbia County,
Wisconsin, 1880 


Contributed by Carol carolann612@charter.net
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm


From The History of Columbia County, Wisconsin, 1880,
publ. by Western Historical Company, Chicago, Page
898-899

STEPHEN P. GAGE (deceased) was born in Vermont in May
1813; he removed to Pennsylvania at the age of 14.  He
was married Jan. 1, 1834, to Miss Lavinia Maria BAIRD,
of Crawford Co. Penn., who was born in Massachusetts
in 1814.  Mr. GAGE was a successful farmer, and a
natural mechanic; he lived on the old homestead in
Crawford Co., Penn., till November 1858, when he sold
out, came West and bought a farm in Medina, where he
lived two years, and then rented the farm and began
hotel life; in 1860, he was keeping hotel at Beaver
Dam, and afterward was four years at the "Blue
Tavern," in Scott Township, Dodge Co., Wis.; they had
large patronage from the line of stage coaches running
between Portage and Beaver Dam - was often called upon
during the night to get supper for as many as thirty
teamsters and travelers; in 1865, he exchanged his
farm for the City Hotel at Portage, which is now the
property of Mrs. GAGE.  Mr. GAGE died on 31st of May,
1873; at time of death had begun preparations to build
a large brick hotel - much of the material being
already on the ground; a fire in 1877 destroyed the
barn and a portion of the hotel; by rebuilding and
repairing, the property has been placed in better
condition.  Mrs. GAGE and her son carry on the
business.  The hotel is favorably located, being on a
corner near the business center.  She also owns 60
acres of woodland.  They had nine children - Wheeler
W., Myron M., Richard, Julia (dead), William, Oliver,
Stephen, Lavina and Lucy (dead).  The family affiliate
with the Presbyterian Church.  Mr. GAGE was Alderman
at time of his death; his neighbors speak of him as a
good man in all the relations of life.

Page 899

C. R. GALLETT was born in town of Benton, Yates Co.,
N.Y., Jan. 6, 1833; lived there until 12 years of age,
then moved to Petersburg, Rensselaer Co., N.Y.;
remained there two years, then went to Penn Yan, N.Y.;
after remaining there a short time, he entered Lima
Seminary, at Lima, Livingston Co., N.Y.; after
completing his studies there, he was engaged as a
teacher of public schools of his native county; came
to Wisconsin in 1854; came to Portage in 1855; his
first business was surveying and engineering, which he
followed until 1860, when he entered the mercantile
establishment of N.H. WOOD & Co., as clerk; afterward
with the firm of WOOD, LOOMIS & OSBORN; in 1863, he
commenced business for himself; member of the firm of
WOOD, LOOMIS & Co. about two years; afterward N. H.
WOOD & Co., until 1869, Mr. GALLETT being the only
partner of Mr. WOOD in 1869, when the present firm of
LOOMIS, GALLETT & BREESE was formed.  Mr. GALLETT has
given some attention to his farming interests since
1865.  Married at Portage May 5, 1865, to Lydia V.
WELLS; she was born at Pittsfield, Mass.; they have
five children - Sarah, Henry W., Anna, Robert M. and
Charles H.  Mr. GALLETT is a member of the I.O.O.F.,
A.O.U.W. and A.F. & A.M.; for two years he was
President of the Curler's Club.  He served as Bridge
Commissioner two years, Alderman several terms, Mayor
three terms, member of the assembly in 1879; while he
was Mayor he held positions as follows: President of
the Portage Manufacturing Company, President of the
Waterhouse Manufacturing Company, C.P. of the I.O.O.F.
Encampment, N.G of I.O.O.F. Lodge; all these offices,
together with his businesses interests, demanded more
attention than it would seem possible for one man to
devote to them, but in every position to which Mr.
GALLETT has been called, he has been found capable of
discharging the duties thereof satisfactorily.

GEORGE N. GATES was born in Portage Sept. 18, 1852;
son of John and Almira (AUSTIN) GATES; his father died
here Aug. 2, 1872; mother now resides in this city;
father carried on the grocery and livery business; he
came to Portage in the spring of 1851; when he first
came, he carried on the dry-goods and grocery business
for a time.  He also held some positions of trust -
Assessor, etc.  George succeeded his father in
business; was in the grocery business for two years
and sold out, and has since continued in the livery
business.

FERDINAND GERSTENKORN, blacksmith, in machine-shops of
C.M. & St. P. R.R., at Portage; born Jan. 1, 1835, in
Germany; served an apprenticeship in the old country
and reached the United States in 1854; spent a year
and a half in Milwaukee; then in fall of 1855 went
into the employ of old Horicon Railroad, at Horicon
Junction, under foreman Alexander THOMAS; in summer of
1861, began work at Milwaukee, for C.M. & St. P. R.R.;
in January 1866, was transferred to Portage, Ed.
KILBRIDGE being in charge; and through all the changes
of administration he has remained continuously to
date.  He was married at Horicon on June 13, 1858, to
Miss Bertha JESSE; have buried four children; three
are living - Earnest, born in 1862; Bertha, born in
1866; Paul, born in 1873.  Since 1859, he has been a
member of the I.O.O.F.; has a fine brick residence,
No. 444 Wisconsin Street.

Submitted by Carol