April 21, 1847-April 10, 1929
DEATH CLOSES ACTIVE LIFE OF A.G. GAGE, FOR YEARS A MERCHANT HERE
Arza G. Gage, 82, a pioneer resident and merchant of Niles, died this morning at 2 o'clock at his home at 116 S. Fourth street. While the immediate cause of death was heart disease Mr. Gage had suffered for several months from a complication of diseases and had for some time been under the constant care of nurses. However, until stricken with the illness which resulted in his death Mr. Gage had been remarkably vigorous and had had taken a deep interest in community affairs and still attended meetings of several of the organizations of which he was a member.
Mr. Gage was a cousin of the late Lyman Gage, former secretaty of the U.S. treasury. He was born on April 21, 1847, in Wayne township, Cass county, a son of Ebenezer and Minerva Gage.
Mr. Gage took a commercial course in the Detroit Business college in his early 20's. He then came to Niles and worked in a basket factory. In 1870 he purchased a grocery business in partnership with a Mr. Spaulding who later sold his interest to Eli Gage, a brother, and under the firm name of Gage Bros., the business was carried on until the death of Eli Gage, in 1903. Gurman Hoppe followed as a partner with the surviving members of the firm until Mr. Gage sold his interest in 1909 after being in the grocery business for 39 years continuously.
Mr. Gage was married on Oct. 30, 1877 to Henrietta M. Wood, who died on July 27, 1927. The one child born to them, Mrs. Edith Gage Van Riper, wife of Dr. Paul Van Riper, of Champion, survives her father, also three (Continued from Page One) grandchildren, Charles and Joesph, at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Dorothy Van Riper of Champion. A halfsister, Mrs. Eugene McKenzie, of Dowagiac, also survives.
Mr. Gage was active in Masonic circles. He was a member of St. Joseph Valley lodge, No. 4, F. and A. M., St. Joseph Valley chapter, No. 2; R. and A.M., Niles Commandery, No. 12 Knights Templar and Niles Council, No. 10, R. and S.M. In these organizations he has held several positions of honor and trust continuously for many years. For over 50 years he had been a member and faithful in attendance, of the Presbyterian church. His business, fraternal and social relations had resulted in contacts with practically unlimited numbers of people, and he enjoyed their respect and esteem and had also made many warm personal friends by whom his death is mourned.
Mr. Gage had been for many years a member of the cemetery board of the city and at the time of his death was president of the board.
The funeral services will be held at 2:30 on Friday afternoon at the home. The Rev. G.W. Simon, pastor of the Presbyterian church will officiate. Burial will be made in the family lot in Silver Brook cemetery. The committal services will be under Masonic auspices.
Mrs. Van Riper arrived in Niles on Saturday From Champion and her Husband, Dr. Paul Van Riper will arrive tomorrow.
(Source: Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 10, 1929, page 1, col. 4, continued on page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)