My Genealogy Hound

WM. BATES, who is numbered among the leading business men of Du Quoin, is a native of Mississippi, his birth having occurred in Woodville, January 9, 1852. His father, James G. Bates, was a native of Kentucky, born in 1817, and was a harness and saddle maker by trade. He wedded Mrs. Mary Ellen (Smith) Cotter, a native of Wilkinson County, Miss., and a representative of one of the pioneer families of that locality, where her father was at one time an extensive slave holder. By her first marriage she became the mother of three children, John M., Matilda E. and Eugene M. Mr. Bates served as a soldier during the Mexican War, and was taken prisoner during that struggle, being held in the city of Mexico when it was captured by General Scott. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his services, he located in Mississippi, where he engaged in harness-making until 1858. That year witnessed his arrival in Du Quoin, where he followed the same trade until his death, in 1863. His wife passed away in Du Quoin in 1876. He had a brother, William, who was a Lieutenant in the Mexican War, and on coming to Illinois settled on a farm in Franklin County, where he departed this life in 1866.

In the Bates family were five children, of whom our subject is the eldest. He had two brothers and two sisters. One of the former is living in Arkansas. The other, Charles P., disappeared nine years ago and has not been heard from since. His sisters reside in Texas and in Kansas City, Mo. W. M. Bates has been familiar with harness-making since his earliest days. When in his eighth year he began to help his father in the shop when he was not in school. Upon his father’s death he was thrown upon his own resources, and the success of his life is therefore due to his own efforts. For seven years he was in the employ of J. Messmore, after which he went to St. Louis, where he followed the trade of harness-making. Later he carried on the same pursuit in Dixon and in Marion, Ill., and in 1878 returned to Du Quoin, where he established the business which he has since successfully conducted.

On the 2d of October, 1879, Mr. Bates was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Hughes, who was born in Aston, Lancashire, England, and during childhood came to America with her parents, James and Mary A. (Ogden) Hughes, who settled in Du Quoin. They have had six children, but lost one in infancy. Those living are, Mary P., thirteen years of age; Ellen A., aged twelve; Charles J., aged eight; Beatrice, six years of age; and Paul W., the baby of two years. The one deceased bore the name of Clara. The parents are both members of the Catholic Church. In his political affiliations, Mr. Bates is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired public office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with a well deserved success.