History of Baker, Grant, Malhur, and Harney Counties" 1902 page 341 book in Baker City Library.

"JOSEPH L. SAVAGE--Active for many years in the processes of bread-stuff production, as well as in stock raising and horticulture, a man of great energy and activity and one who easily overcomes difficulties which would over-whelm a less resolute person, the honored gentleman whose name forms the caption of this article has certainly earned the right to be considered among the builders of Baker county, and it affords us pleasure to accord him representation as such herein.

Our subject was born in Cook county, Illinois, near Plainfield, on January 19, 1843. He resided with his parents, Americus and Mary Savage, at their home in Peolia, Illinois, until 1851, when he accompanied the remainder of the family across the plains to Linn County, Oregon, where he lived until he was seventeen years old. He then went to California, where he worked at mining for about three years, thereupon returning to Linn county. He farmed until 1872, which year is the date of his advent in Baker county. His first home was on Rock Creek, but in 1876 he moved to his present place of abode six miles west of Haines, where he has lived ever since. For a number of years he ran a blacksmith shop in addition to his other industries, then he invested in a threshing outfit, which made the seasons for twelve years. In 1900 he sold this, and last fall he operated an outfit owned by himself, in conjunction with several other farmers. He has a fine, well improved place, supplied with machinery, implements, building, fences, and in fact almost everything requisite to a well regulated ranch.

Fraternally our subject is affiliated with Haines Lodge, No. 11, A.O.U.W. He was married in Linn county, Oregon, October 22, 1864, to Melinda, daughter of James and Elizabeth Taylor, and a native of Illinois, and to this union have been born eleven children, namely: Minnie, wife of Bayard Angell, now deceased; William, deceased; Dean, residing near his father's home; Guy, at home; Ollie, wife of W.N. Gardner, of North Powder; Edward, at Laclede mine; Nora, wife of Samuel Lang; Lulu, wife of W. M. Cavin; Ivy, deceased; Joseph, Ira."