Newton Sager, M.D.
Among the eminent physicians and surgeons of Allen County, the Sagers have been distinguished for two generations and the subject of this record bears the name of a father who was the pioneer physician of Jackson township, and, indeed, one of the earliest practitioners of medicine in Allen County. Dr. Newton Sager, of LaFayette, was born in this village, in a home on the site of his present residence, on December 18, 1846, being the eldest son of Dr. Newton and Bethiah (Gilbert) Sager.
The Sager family probably originated in England and later established a home in Virginia, where the grandparents of Dr. Sager, Henry and Lovina (Haines) Sager, were born whence they removed to Union County, Ohio, at a very early date. Of their eight children, Dr. Newton Sager, Sr., was born in Union County, Ohio, October 31, 1817, and died at LaFayette, Allen County, on August 13, 1903, having been one of the most highly esteemed men of his day in this section of the State, both in private and professional life. He enjoyed better educational advantages than were afforded many of his associates , for after he had completed the common-school course at the age of 19 years, he was entered at Oxford University, later pursued a medical course in Pleasant Valley Madison County, Ohio, and in 1843 was graduated in medicine at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.
The young physician settled in Jackson township, Allen County, Ohio, although it might be thought so sparsely settled a district as it was then would have little need for his services. In fact for some years his professional visits covered a very wide territory. The settlement of the county meant a greater tax on his time and strength and for years he knew no rest from professional labor. He was one of the earliest settlers at LaFayette and established the first drug-store in the village which he continued for many years. On account of the prevailing malaria, which is the cause of much of the sickness in any newly settled community,the necessity for quinine was very great and it was difficult to obtain it in days when journeys were made on horseback and by ox-team. It was in order to be able to supply the drugs he found it necessary to prescribe that Dr. Sager established his own drug-store,
Not only did Dr. Sager occupy a prominent place in his locality as a man of science, but he was also a dominating influence in all public affairs, a leader in educational movements and, had not his professional duties prevented, would have probably become his party's representative in many of the higher offices in its gift. He was a lifelong Democrat and on several occasions served as township treasurer, but the duties of his profession precluded but little more than a good citizen's attention to public affairs. He found time, however, to lend his influence and give support by word and purse to various public-spirited enterprises, one of the most important of these being the building of the direct railroad line from Upper Sandusky to Lima. Although a member of no religious denomination, he was a liberal supporter of all, possessing the broadened mind and trained understanding which enabled him to see the good in every creed. Dr. Sager was charitable, in his daily life, for years, practicing that Christian charity which perhaps, men of his profession understand best of all. His memory is perpetuated in Allen County in the hearts of those who knew him best and those who benefited so often by his professional skill.
The late Dr. Sager was twice married. Prior to coming to Jackson township, he was united to Hannah Custard, a daughter of Daniel Custard, who became a merchant in Lima. She died in 1840, leaving one daughter, Araminta, who married a Harrison Tingle and moved to the Pacific Coast, where she died. The second marriage of Dr. Sager was to Bethiah Gilbert, who was born in Vermont, September 2, 1820, and is a daughter of Josiah Gilbert, who came to Allen County in 1840. She still survives, an honored member of our subject's family. The children of this marriage were: Newton, the subject of this sketch; Norval, who died unmarried, in 1883; Annetta, who is the wife of Wesley Biterman, of LaFayette; Norton, who lives on a farm in Jackson township; Lavina, who is the wife of Doddridge Kinzie, of LaFayette; Mary Belle, who is the wife of George B. Muir, living one mile north of LaFayette; and Nellie, Arthur, Ina and Norman, who died in youth.
In closing the record relating to the late Dr. Sager, mention must be made of his many years of active interest in the Masonic fraternity. Soon after the organization of the Masonic lodge at Lima, he became a member of that body and continued his interest in the order as long as he lived. He was a charter member of Sager Lodge, No. 513, F. & A. M., at LaFayette, which was named in his honor.
Newton Sager, our immediate subject, was reared at LaFayette and became a student in the village school when a child of six years. He continued to study in the LaFayette schools until he was about 20 years old, when he entered Baldwin University, at Berea, near Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained one year. He then read medicine with his father for a period of four years and went from this excellent instruction to the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. After several terms there, he entered the medical department of the University of Worcester, at Cleveland, where he was graduated and received a diploma in February, 1871.
After graduation Dr. Sager returned to LaFayette and entered into practice with is father, at first relieving the older physician, who was beginning to feel the weight of years, of his heavier duties and gradually taking over the larger burden of the practice, continuing the partnership until the close of the father's life. Dr. Sager is a regular general practitioner and, by his fellow-citizens, has been deemed worthy to take his father's place. His methods are those of the younger school of practitioners and his reputation is that of an eminent man in his profession.
In April, 1871, Dr. Sager was united in marriage with Sarah M. Hughes, of Knox County, Ohio, who is a daughter of Hiram and Emily (Lane) Hughes, who came to Ohio from Connecticut. They have two daughters Grace and Georgiana. The former married John E. Myers, of LaFayette, and has one daughter, Evadne. The latter married Albertson Watt, of LaFayette, and has two children Namona and Rodney. The family has always been a leading one of this section and is prominent socially.
Like his late father, Dr. Sager is identified with the Democratic party and for years has been more of less a leader of its movements in this locality. He has served three terms as township treasurer. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a member of Sager Lodge, No. 513, F. & A. M., which was named for his father who was instrumental in having it established at LaFayette.