Presidential Cabinet Secretary. He served as United States Secretary of the Treasury first in the first and second administrations of President William McKinley, then in the first administration of President Theodore Roosevelt after President McKinley was assassinated in 1901. Born in the village of DeRuyter, New York, he developed an early aptitude for mathematics, which he attributed to his father who was a toll taker; the son would often help his father complete the daily account book. Moving to Rome, New York, he received some schooling at the Rome Academy, but was forced to abandon his formal education by age 14. His early career included positions as a store clerk, mill worker and a night watchman. Eventually Gage found work as a cashier and bookkeeper for a bank, an occupation which took him to Chicago, Illinois in 1853. With his strong work ethic and his reputation for integrity, he eventually worked his way up to becoming the president of the First National Bank of Chicago, one of the nation's largest financial institutions. In 1890 he became the president of the World's Columbian Exposition, the success of which was largely attributed to his financial skills. He was offered position of Secretary of the Treasury by President Grover Cleveland, which he turned down. He later accepted the same appointment, serving from 1897 to 1902. As the Secretary of the Treasury, Gage helped secure the financing of the Spanish-American War, and authored the Gold Standards Act of 1900. After retiring from the cabinet, he indulged his lifelong interest in spirituality and metaphysical matters, living at a theosophist retreat known as "Lomaland" near San Diego, California, where he died.
Presidential Cabinet Secretary. He served as United States Secretary of the Treasury first in the first and second administrations of President William McKinley, then in the first administration of President Theodore Roosevelt after President McKinley was assassinated in 1901. Born in the village of DeRuyter, New York, he developed an early aptitude for mathematics, which he attributed to his father who was a toll taker; the son would often help his father complete the daily account book. Moving to Rome, New York, he received some schooling at the Rome Academy, but was forced to abandon his formal education by age 14. His early career included positions as a store clerk, mill worker and a night watchman. Eventually Gage found work as a cashier and bookkeeper for a bank, an occupation which took him to Chicago, Illinois in 1853. With his strong work ethic and his reputation for integrity, he eventually worked his way up to becoming the president of the First National Bank of Chicago, one of the nation's largest financial institutions. In 1890 he became the president of the World's Columbian Exposition, the success of which was largely attributed to his financial skills. He was offered position of Secretary of the Treasury by President Grover Cleveland, which he turned down. He later accepted the same appointment, serving from 1897 to 1902. As the Secretary of the Treasury, Gage helped secure the financing of the Spanish-American War, and authored the Gold Standards Act of 1900. After retiring from the cabinet, he indulged his lifelong interest in spirituality and metaphysical matters, living at a theosophist retreat known as "Lomaland" near San Diego, California, where he died.
Bio by: Ernest
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