Josiah Sage was born in New Jersey in May 1862, according to the 1900 U.S. Census. His older sister, Hannah, married Charles Henry Peters in the late 1860s.
By 1880, Sage was single and working as an oil cloth painter. Around 1882, he married Rose, and the couple had a daughter named Kate the following year. Both Josiah and his brother-in-law, Charles Henry Peters, were politically active. In March 1890, Josiah Sage was appointed to the Camden Police Department, where he served until 1899. That November, he transitioned to the Camden Fire Department, serving until his death in 1931.
The 1900 Census lists the Sage family living at 821 Chestnut Street. At the time, they had four children: Kate, William, Jesse, and Howard. Another son, Russell, was born in 1901. By 1906, the family had moved to 917 South 8th Street, and by the 1910 and 1920 Censuses, they were living at 954 South 9th Street in Camden's Seventh Ward. Rose Sage was still alive in 1910 but had passed away by January 1920. Also residing at the address were Josiah's sons William, Jesse, Howard, and Russell. By 1920, William was married with children of his own.
In the 1930 Census, Josiah Sage, then a widower, was recorded as a boarder at 1312 Rose Street. The head of the household was Anna Murphy, a 45-year-old divorcee. At that time, Josiah’s occupation was listed as "fireman for a utility." He passed away on May 7, 1931, and was buried at Arlington Cemetery in Pennsauken, New Jersey.
Josiah's son, Russell Sage, worked as a taxi driver during the 1920s and 1930s. He was arrested and questioned in connection with the murder of Joseph Cimini by "Polack Joe" Deven and also in connection with the gangland slaying of Joseph “Mose” Flannery. Additionally, Russell’s brother-in-law, Rollie Waterhouse, was convicted of armed robbery and served time in state prison.
Josiah's brother-in-law, Charles H. Peters, also had a public service career, serving with both the Camden Police Department and the Camden Fire Department.
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Josiah Sage
Josiah Sage was born in New Jersey in May 1862, according to the 1900 U.S. Census. His older sister, Hannah, married Charles Henry Peters in the late 1860s. By 1880, Sage was single and working as an oil cloth painter. Around 1882, he married Rose, and the couple had a daughter named Kate the following…
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Two Men Shot in a Race Riot in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer – July 6, 1897 Both Victims Are Colored and One Is Probably Fatally Wounded. POLICE USED PISTOLS They Were Fired at When They Tried to Arrest the Fighters, “Crap” Game Started the Trouble. In a race riot between white and colored men in South Camden last evening two colored men were shot. One…
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