Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Sage graduated from Granville College (now Denison University) in 1849 and attended Cincinnati Law School, but read law to enter the bar in 1852.

After a brief stint as a prosecuting attorney of Warren County, Ohio, he returned to private practice in Cincinnati from 1867 to 1883.

[1] Sage received a recess appointment from President Chester A. Arthur on March 20, 1883, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio vacated by William White.

He was nominated to the same position by President Arthur on December 18, 1883.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 7, 1884, and received his commission the same day.