My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Hickman County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1886.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

John M. Bates, merchant, and native of Hickman County, Tenn., was born August 22, 1853, son of Lewis and Agnes E. (Lancaster) Bates. He is the fourth of their five children, and his early days were devoted to farm labor. He attended the country schools of Hickman County, and in the winter of 1871 came to Centreville. He was engaged for some time in the wine and liquor business, and for one year sold sewing machines. In 1874 he began the mercantile business in Centreville, continuing the same until 1876, when he was engaged as solicitor for the produce house of King Bros. & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, and remained with the firm six years, and was then with Mellen, Brown & Co. for one year. He engaged in the mercantile business again in Centreville in 1883, and continued the same up to July 1, 1886. The firm was known as Bates Bros. & Co. At the latter date he sold out his stock of goods and accepted a position as traveling salesman with M. & L. S. Fechheimer & Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio, with Middle Tennessee as his territory. February 22, 1872, he married Anna Wright, of Hickman County. She is a daughter of Simeon C. Wright, and was born May 16, 1855. They have seven children: Alonzo L., William M., Clarence P., Clifford G., Simeon L., Fred and another whose name was not learned. Mr. Bates is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 20 biographies included in The History of Hickman County, Tennessee published in 1886.  The History of Hickman County was included within The History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman & Lewis Counties of Tennessee. View the complete description here: History of Lawrence, Wayne, Perry, Hickman and Lewis Counties of Tennessee

View additional Hickman County, Tennessee family biographies here: Hickman County, Tennessee

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.