Biography of the Oates Family, Henry, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/henry/bios/oates.txt ==================================================================== USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed and copyrighted by: Jacob L. Bateman III ==================================================================== February 1999 Biography of the Oates Family, Henry Co., AL The Oates family came from North Carolina and settled in several Alabama Counties: Autauga, Barbour, Coffee, Dale Henry and Pike Counties. Some of their sons like James, father of Jesse, Jesse, Lt. John Alva, and Nathan Oates, gave their lives in the War for Southern Independence. Colonel William Calvin Oates gave his right arm. The family of William Oates, son of Stephenson Oates, nephew of James, Oates, settled in Pike County. Stephen Oates, son of James Oates (b. Dec. 15, 1757, d. Mar 22, 1815 and Stephenson's brother), settled in Henry County with his family. Stephen Oates was born in 1783 and died in 1835. He married Elizabeth Ann Shipp. They had at least three children, James, John Charles, and Ephraim. The Oates family came to Henry County after Stephen's death in 1835. In 1839 Elizabeth Oates had to settle her husband's estate so their son, James, was made Commissioner for that purpose, and their son John Charles was given the power of attorney to settle the matter. Ephraim Oates who was born Jan. 27, 1826 in Sampson Co., NC, had very little formal education because he worked on his mother's plantation in Roeville. He did contribute to the Baptist Church and he served in Armstrong's Mounted Infantry, also know as the Henry Mounted Rebels, during the Civil War. Ephraim died on Apr. 20, 1911 in Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama and is buried in the Abbeville City Cemetery. Ephraim married 1st Mary Ann Ward, daughter of James (b. Nov. 1, 1783 in SC, d. Feb. 28, 1860 in Henry Co., AL) and Malinda/Marinda Parrish Ward. She was born June 24, 1822, died Nov 24, 1882 and was buried in the Abbyville City Cemetery, Henry County, Alabama. Ephraim and Mary Ann had five children: Malinda, married Dr. Thomas Carrey, Soloman; Wyatt Stephen Oates (see below); Margaret married Edgar Lindsay, son of Benjamin & Mary Jordon Lindsay. 2 others. Ephraim married 2nd Lucy Saunders, b. Nov. 19, 1849, d. Sept. 12, 1838. Lucy was also buried in the Abbyville City Cemetery, Henry County, Alabama. Ephraim and Lucy's children were: Ephraim Oates, William G. Oates, Lucy Oates and Lizzie Oates. Dr. Wyatt Stephen Oates was one of the pioneer doctors in the Wiregrass area. He is listed on the Historical Register in Abbeville along with others like Jon. E. Price, Burdeshaw, Long, J. C. & W. P. Hardwick. Dr. Oates was born July 6, 1852 in Abbeville, Henry County, Alabama. He married Martha Alice "Queen" Reynolds, b. Jan. 1, 1857, d. Sept. 26, 1926, daughter of Charles Jackson and Martha Jordon Reynolds. Dr. Oates amassed a fortune through shrewd business practices. He made his rounds on horseback and Miss Queen went with him because it was not safe for her to stay at home. They lived with their family in the Alice Hotel, near Headland, which had been had been built for them by his father. Dr. Oates died Apr 11, 1913 and is buried in the Abbeville City Cemetery, Henry County, Alabama as is Martha Alice "Queen" Reynolds Oates. Walter Bragg OATES was born Mar 21, 1878. He was the son of Dr. Wyatt Stephen and Martha Alice "Queen" Reynolds Oates. He married Mamie Elizabeth SOLOMON (1883-1969) at her residence in Headland Alabama on Feb. 1, 1903. Walter died Jan 9, 1955 and is buried in the Headland Methodist Church Cemetery. According to the Memorial Records of Alabama, Ephraim Oates inherited 12,000 acres of land and this land was inherited by Walter Bragg Oates. Walter was baptized 6/May/1891 and became a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He enlisted in Company K 2nd United States Volunteer Infantry, and became a Corporal in the Spanish American War and the Philippine uprising of 1901. Walter owned and operated a Cotton Seed oil Mill and a Peanut Oil Mill. In 1907, he went into business with Mr. Walden and opened the Oates & Walden Harness Company. They made leather harnesses for horse drawn carriages. Walter also was a newspaper editor and owned several stores in the town of Headland. According to the Memorial Records of Alabama, Ephraim Oates inherited 12,000 acres of land. Eventually, Walter Bragg Oates inherited this land. It is said he used it for agricultural purposes and later sold it. Walter and Mamie had nine children: Mildred, Walter Neil, Wyatt Stephen, Mary Alice, Leta Julia, Price Reynolds, Elizabeth "Lib", Walter Bragg Jr., and Robert M. Oates. Walter Neil Oates married Anna Mabel Gay. Their daughter, Mariam Oates, b. Jan 12, 1927 in Headland, Henry County, AL, married Jacob L. Bateman on Dec. 25, 1946. Jacob was born on Feb. 15, 1926 in Pittsburgh, PA.