My Genealogy Hound

REUBEN E. SAEGER, one of the most successful men of this locality, is the owner of fifty acres of excellent farming land adjoining the village of Bearytown, where he lives and where he is engaged in the agricultural-implement business. He has worked hard, accumulating this property by his own efforts. He is a native of this county, and was born in the town of Fayette, September 20, 1858. His parents were Reuben and Jane (Rogers) Saeger, the former born in Northumberland County, Pa., while the latter was a native of the town of Fayette.

On coming hither from the Keystone State the paternal grandfather of our subject, who bore the name of Daniel Saeger, chose for his future home a location in this town. Here Reuben, Sr., was reared to manhood, learning the trade of a blacksmith and making this his business in life for the following twenty years. At the expiration of that time he felt quite willing to retire from this arduous work, and, purchasing a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, gave his attention ever afterward to its further improvement. There were three children born of his union with Miss Rogers, of whom our subject is the youngest. Freeman R., the eldest of the household, also makes his home in this town, while Judson L. is a resident of Los Angeles, Cal., managing the branch house of the Crane Manufacturing Company of Chicago.

The father was a prominent Democrat in politics, and by his fellow-townsmen was made his own successor as Justice of the Peace for a period of twenty-eight years. During this time he was called upon to settle many cases, and it was a very rare thing that his decisions were not sustained by upper courts. He was a man of sound judgment and good business principles, and his advice was often sought by business men. His death occurred September 6, 1884, when threescore and twelve years old, but his good wife survived him three years, passing away in 1887, when seventy years of age.

The subject of this sketch made the most of every opportunity granted him to acquire knowledge, and after pursuing the course taught in the common schools became a student in the State Normal School at Geneseo, this state. After prosecuting his studies there for one year he began teaching school, and from the summer of 1874 until 1880 taught during the winter terms. Although remarkably successful in this vocation, it was not his intention to follow it for a business, as he desired to engage in business on his own account as soon as his means would permit. From 1882 to 1884 he managed his father’s farm on shares, and this greatly added to his income.

The marriage of our subject with Miss Cornelia Yost was celebrated December 28, 1881. This lady was born in the town of Fayette and was the daughter of Casper and Jane (Brickley) Yost, natives of the town Fayette. To them have been granted five children, namely: Eddie, born in the town of Fayette September 29, 1882; Ethel, September 8, 1887; Glenn, July 16, 1889; Lee, March 21, 1891; and Nellie, November 8, 1893.

In 1884 Mr. Saeger took possession of his present farm, moving onto it in the fall of the year. Although this property is cultivated with profit to the owner, he gives the greater part of his attention to the implement business, having a large stock of machines on hand in his store at Bearytown, which he opened up in 1895. He has already become widely known to the farmers of the surrounding territory, who make a call upon him when in need of anything in the line of farm machinery.

In politics Mr. Saeger is prominent in the councils of the Democratic party, and on this ticket was elected Town Clerk in 1885, and in 1890 was the successful candidate for the office of Supervisor. He has been a delegate to the various conventions of his party, and is ever ready, both by voice and influence, to aid in its success, socially he is a Mason of good standing, and in 1895 became identified with Lodge No. 539, of Fayette. During the years 1891-92-93 he was keeper of the Seneca County Almshouse, and in all his undertakings his efforts have been crowned with success to a gratifying degree. Personally he commands the esteem and liking of his neighbors.