History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

556

HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.

Detroit in 1866, where he learned the upholstering trade with William Brown. In 1874 he came to East Saginaw and worked for
Feige Brothers. He remained with them over three years, when,
business becoming a little slack, they stopped him for some time.
Being of an enterprising nature, Mr. Fuerstenau could not remain
idle; he therefore began work on a small scale at his own house,
expecting to resume work for his employers when they desired;
but they became offended at his proceedings, and dismissed him
from their employ. This, though a very trying moment to Mr.
Fuerstenau, is the event of his life which can be pointed to as the
beginning of the era of his wonderful success as a business man. In
March,1877,he established a small shop with about $500 capital,and
had he not possessed an unusual amount of energy he would have
gone under. But he worked hard, mentally and physically, for over
two years, and was prospered. He then took a partner, Mr. Julius
Guenther, who added $500 to the capital stock. Mr. Fuerstenau
bought his partner's interests in 1880, paying him $2,200. He then
took James A. Weaver as a partner, who added $6,000 to the
capital stock, Mr. Fuerstenau putting in the same amount. They
have since that time greatly increased their stock, until they occupy 10 large store rooms, on the corner of Genesee avenue and
Jefferson street. To better give an idea of the extent of the business we give the following: From September, 1880, to June 15,
1881, their sales amounted to over $70,000. Mr. Fuerstenau was
married, Oct. 31, 1876, to Miss Minnie Grethe, by whom he
has had 3 children; of these 2 are living, Minnie and Jennie.
Gage Bros., dealers in hot-air furnaces and manufacturers of
copper, sheet and tin work for steamboats, mills, etc., Union
block, S. Water street, East Saginaw. This firm was established
by George and Thomas Gage in 1879, and at present secures a
large portion of the ever-increasing trade of Saginaw county.
The brothers are skillful mechanics, having learned their trade
in Detroit, and do a large business in steam - fitting, which
forms an important branch of their business.
Cahauncey 'H Gage, attorney at law, and Circuit Judge elect
of the 10th Judicial District of Michigan, was born at Detroit,
Mici., June 17, 1840. His parents were Morgan L. and Amy
(Coffeen) Gage, natives of New York. When Mr. Gage was nine
years of age his father removed to Saginaw City, and three years
later to East Saginaw. When 16 years of age he entered the
employ of S. W. Yawkey & Co., lumber merchants, remaining
with them and their successors, C. Moulthrop & Co., two shipping
seasons. In the winter of 1857 he was elected Enrolling Clerk
of the State Senate, holding that position during the session of
1857 and the extra session the following winter. He commenced
the study of law with Webber & Wheeler, in 1858, remaining
with the firm until Jan. 1, 1863. IHe was admitted to the bar
of this State, Sept. 19, 1861, and to practice in the U. S. Courts