Perry-Lee-Williamson County IL Archives Biographies.....Bates, W. M. 1852 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031 March 1, 2008, 6:35 pm

Author: Biographical Publishing Co. (1894)

W. M. 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 Ģin 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.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe
Counties, Illinois
Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the
Counties
Together with Biographies and Portraits of All the Presidents of the United
States and the Governors of the State of Illinois

Chicago: Biographical Publishing Co.
1894

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