My Genealogy Hound

William Bates, an enterprising farmer of the Third District, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., June 21, 1843. He is the eldest of four children of John and Ann (Brown) Bates. The father was of Irish descent, born in 1820 in North Carolina, and settled in Wilson County about 1830. He was a farmer. Our subject enlisted in Company K, Eighteenth Tennessee. He took part in all of the great battles in Tennessee and Georgia. He was captured at Fort Donelson, and was exchanged. He was again captured at Atlanta, Ga., but made his escape and tried to join his regiment. He endured many hardships and privations; he had no food for eleven days. After his return home he engaged in farming on his father’s place for about three years. June 20, 1867, he married Miss Sallie J. Britton, by whom he had seven children: James H., John Britton, Hinton Monroe, Tolliver, Eugene Head, William C. and Clara May. Two years after marriage Mr. Bates located on the Scottsville pike, remaining there seven years. He then moved to the east fork of Bledsoe Creek. In 1880 he settled at present place of residence. He was a Whig, but since the war has been a Democrat. He is a Master Mason and a respected, well known citizen. The entire family belong to the Baptist Church.