Rev. John Wesley Savage was the son of an English Wesleyan minister, brother of the Rev. William Savage, said to be a most soul-saving laborer; and he had been thoroughly educated in the "school for the preacher's children."

His education was not only classical, but commercial: he was an excellent accountant, and had for some time been a bookkeeper in our Connexional Book-room.

He had been a lively local preacher, and business and accounts could not extinguish his love to souls or his ardor to join the itinerant battle against the hosts of sin and darkness. His powerful voice, both for singing and speaking, and his glowing manner, pre-eminently qualified him to take part in revival services.

His personal appearance and manners were excellent; cordiality gave him access to the people's hearts.

...from the minutes of the 1855 Wesleyan Methodist Conference in Toronto C.W.