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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  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.

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JOHN E. BATES, a resident of Northampton and senior partner in the firm of Bates, Lyman & Locke, was born in in South Hadley, Mass., June 12, 1847, being a son of Emerson and Sarah Ann (Edwards) Bates. The Bates family originated in England, the first of the name to cross the ocean and locate in this country having been one Joshua Bates, who settled in Hingham, Mass., at Cohasset, at an early period in the settlement of New England.

John Bates, grandfather of John E. Bates, was born March 12, 1772, in Cohasset, and, when a young man, came to this county. He lived for a while in Chesterfield, and was there married to Nancy Cogswell. Soon after their union they removed to Westhampton, where their ten children, five sons and five daughters, were born, all of whom, except one who died in infancy, grew to adult life. Of these one daughter still lives. This is Mary Ann, widow of Asahel Judd, formerly a resident of Charlemont, but now of Aurora, Ill. Emerson improved his land and spent his life and remaining days upon it with his family, dying March 12, 1856. He was united in marriage in 1833, to Sarah Ann Edwards, who was born at Roberts Meadow, Northampton, daughter of David Edwards, grand-daughter of Nathaniel Edwards, former well-known residents of the locality. For many years after their union they kept the hotel and toll-gate on the old Boston and Albany Pike, and also owned and operated a tannery. They reared five children, as follows: Henry E., a volunteer in the late Rebellion, Corporal of Company H, Fifty-second Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, born in 1844, died August 19, 1863; Mary A., the wife of T. C. Cooley, of Springfield; Catherine I., living on the old homestead; John E., the subject of this sketch; and Nathaniel Edwards, who owns and occupies the old home farm. The mother survived her husband, passing away March 22, 1895, at the good old age of seventy eight years. She was buried beside her husband in the South Hadley cemetery. The soldier son was laid to rest in the Cypress Grove Cemetery in Louisiana.

John E. Bates was a student in the high school when his eldest brother enlisted. The departure of his brother obliged him to give up his studies to assist on the home farm. This he continued to do until 1870, when he came to Northampton and secured work in the biscuit factory of Carr & Lyman, where he remained until the death of Mr. Carr, which occurred more than fifteen years afterward. Mr. Bates subsequently became a member of the new firm. The company was organized March 15, 1886, and has since carried on a flourishing business under the title of the Smith Carr Baking Company. This bakery was first established a century ago, since which time it has passed through different hands. The firm carry on a large trade. The factory at times has made one hundred and seventy-five barrels of crackers per day. The larger part of this output consists of the Smith Carr Butter Crackers, which are unsurpassed by any other, and are extensively sold throughout New England and the West. The firm keeps three commercial travellers busily employed.

Mr. Bates was united in marriage October 1, 1872, to Harriet E. Wright, of Northampton, by the Rev. Ephraim M. Wright, formerly Secretary of the State of Massachusetts, and an uncle of the bride. Mrs. Bates is a daughter of Ozro C. and Emeline (Clark) Wright, her mother being a native of Easthampton and a daughter of Luther Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Bates reside at 14 Fruit Street, having settled in this locality soon after their marriage. Since then they have changed their residence but once, on that occasion having been compelled to do so by a fire which burned them out. This was in 1876, when they bought the Daniel Kingsley place. They are the parents of five children, namely; Clinton Monroe, born July 25, 1874, now in the office of the company; Edith W., born January 28, 1876, attending the high school; S. Emeline, born in October, 1880; Harriet I., born July 18, 1882; and Lucy A., born August 9, 1886. Mr. Bates evinces a warm interest in the progress and advancement of the city. In politics he is independent of party. He has served three years as a member of the City Council. He has passed all the chairs up to that of Clerk in the Canton, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a Knight of Pythias, and belongs to the American Legion of Honor and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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