“William H. Sage, who was one of Cornell University’s most generous benefactors and was for many years a resident of Ithaca, died this morning at his home on Menand’s Road, Albany, at the age of 80 years. He is survived by his widow, two sons, Henry W. and Andrew C. Sage and several grandchildren.
Born in Ithaca, January 9, 1844, the sons of Henry W. and Susan Linn Sage, Mr. Sage lived here until he was nine years of age when his parents moved to Brooklyn. He attended the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, and Yale University, graduating from Yale in 1865 with high honors.
In 1880, his father, Henry W. Sage returned to Ithaca, and William H. Sage came with him, and built his own home the brick residence at 603 East Seneca street, now occupied by the Delta Gamma sorority, while his father’s home stood where the Cornell Infirmary is now located.
He made his home in this city until 1898 when he moved to Albany. Mr. Sage was one of the most prominent residents of Ithaca at that time, and one of the wealthiest. He was for many years a director of the Ithaca Trust Company, and was the first president of the Town and Gown Club. His first wife was Miss Jane Curtin, daughter of Andrew Curtin, a former governor of Pennsylvania.
His Many Gifts to University
William H. Sage was a trustee of Cornell University from 1888 until 1904, and his many gifts to the university are well known. Among these are the Sage Chapel organ, the windows in the apse, and the entire interior decoration of the chapel. He is also the donor of the professorial pension fund endowment.
Mr. Sage built the stone arch bridge over Cascadilla Creek, and presented to the university library the Zarnecke collection comprising some 13,000 volumes on Germanic philology and literature. Jointly, with his brother,
Dean Sage, William H. Sage gave to the university the Cornell Infirmary with its endowment.
By direction of President Farrand the flags on the university buildings are to remain at half mast until after the funeral which will be held on Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock.”
“William H. Sage, Benefactor of Cornell, Dies,” Ithaca Journal-News, October 23, 1924, 5.