Early Settlers: Earl D. Gage

The following is from a work-in-progress about the history of Fullerton. You can support my ongoing research and writing on Patreon.

Earl D. Gage was born in Nemaha County,  Kansas. As a young man he worked on his family’s corn farm.

In 1890, he moved out west to the newly-established town of Fullerton, and worked in horticultural and orchard work. The following year, he helped his parents move out to Fullerton as well.

In 1900, Gage purchased thirty acres from Edward Atherton, who at one time owned the California Ostrich Farm. Instead of ostriches, Gage grew orange trees, and had his own nursery, from which he sold buds and trees. He also grew avocados.

He, like many local ranchers of this time, joined the Placentia Orange Growers Association, was a shareholder in the Anaheim Union Water Company, and built a house on his ranch.

In 1909, he married Mayme Clark. They had two children, Lydia and Mildred.

He was a Republican and advicated for prohibition of alcohol, along with his wife. He attended the First Baptist Church where he was a trustee.