The following is a biography of Charles Gager former Norwich Rotarian from A modern history of New London County, Connecticut; by Marshall, Benjamin Tinkham.
CHARLES A. GAGER, JR.— In the business life of his community, in its social and fraternal circles, and to the public generally Charles A. Gager, Jr. is not only well known and highly esteemed, but is regarded with a warmer feeling, for it is in a spirit of genuine helpfulness and sympathy that he does his work as a funeral director and he is a friend in truth.
Mr. Gager is a member of a Connecticut family, his father having been born on the old Gager homestead in the town of Bozrah, near Norwich. Charles A. Gager, Sr. was born June 15, 1837. He grew up in Bozrah, and attended the public schools there; then took charge of the home farm and there spent his entire active life. He retired in 1906 and bought a house in Norwich Town, where he is still living and enjoying excellent health, although an octogenarian. He married Harriet M. Fargo, who was a native of Montville, Connecticut; she died in Norwich, Connecticut, September 24, 1920. They have had five children of whom three are living.
Charles A. Gager, Jr. was born in Bozrah, Connecticut, July 4, 1876. He attended the public schools of the town, and when he had completed the course helped his father on the farm. At the age of twenty-one years he went to Norwich, and entered the employ of the Henry Allen & Son Company, the leading undertakers of that day. Here he remained for a period of si.x years, and became thoroughly e.xperienced in the undertaking business. He passed the State Board examinations on March 1, 1905, and established himself as a funeral director at No. 70 Franklin street. He has remained in the same location to the present time, and is conceded to be one of the leading men in his line in the county. His establishment is modernly equipped, and he was the first undertaker in the city to own a motor-driven hearse. Courteous and considerate, he combines with his pleasing personality a thorough knowledge of his business and he is very highly esteemed. Mr. Gager finds his relaxation from the cares of a trying business in his fine two-hundred-acre farm in Montville, not far from Norwich. There he raises thoroughbred cattle, horses, and poultry, taking a great pride in his farm, which is one of the best in that section.
Mr. Gager is a member of Somerset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons; of Franklin Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons; of Franklin Council, No. 4, Royal and Select Masters; of Columbian Commandery, Knights Templar, of Norwich; and is a thirty-second degree member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, affiliated with King Solomon Lodge of Perfection; Van Rensselaer Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Norwich Chapter of Rose Croix; Connecticut Consistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret; Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Hartford; Norwich Lodge, No. 430, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Shetucket Lodge, No. 16; and the Arcanum and Rotary clubs, of Norwich; the Order of United American Mechanics, of Norwich; and of the Funeral Directors’ Association of Connecticut. In political affairs he will pledge his support in advance to no party, voting for the man he believes best qualified to serve the people.
Mr. Gager married, December 13, 1907, Mira L. Rallion, daughter of Herman and Emma (Crocker) Rallion, of Norwich; they attend the services of the Universalist church.
Charles Gager passed away on January 22, 1956.