Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Bates, William O ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 29, 2008, 1:09 am Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907 William O. Bates, whose intense and well directed activity has gained him a place of prominence in industrial circles in Joliet, is now treasurer and general manager of the Bates Machine company, an enterprise which under his direction has grown to mammoth proportions and constitutes one of the leading sources of commercial activity in this city. In this connection it will be seen that Mr. Bates belongs to that class of representative American men who while promoting individual success, also advance the general prosperity, and examination into his life record and analyzation of the motives that have led to his progress shows that unfaltering industry and steadfast purpose have been numbered among his salient characteristics from the commencement of his business career. A native of Canada, Mr. Bates was born in Hamilton on the 15th of July, 1860, his parents being Joshua and Mary (Oswald) Bates, the former a native of Hamilton and the latter of Brantford, Canada. The paternal grandfather was of English lineage, while James Oswald, his grandfather in the maternal line was a farmer of Canada, who traced his ancestry back to Scotland. For some years Joshua Bates was employed at pattern-making and railroad building in Canada and in 1863 he removed to Washington, Iowa, where he engaged in contracting and building. Four years later he settled in Carthage, Missouri, where he became well known as a contractor and in 1886 he joined his sons in Joliet and assisted them in their factory as a pattern- maker. He died here, February 10, 1899, when sixty-nine years of age, having long survived his wife, who died in Carthage, Missouri. Their two daughters are now residents of Los Angeles, California, while three of their four sons are living and are connected with the business interests of Joliet. William O. Bates was only three years old when his parents removed from Canada to Iowa and was a youth of seven when the family home was established in Carthage, Missouri, where he pursued his education as a public-school student, passing- through successive grades until he entered the high school. In 1875, his school life being completed, he began learning the practical lessons of life in the school of experience, being apprenticed to the machinists trade in Carthage, and after a term of indenture of three years he was made foreman in the shop, which fact indicates that he had thoroughly mastered the trade and gained the unqualified confidence of his employers. In 1882, however, he sought a broader field of labor and for three years was connected with various large shops in Chicago. Coming to Joliet in 1885 he joined in organizing the firm of Bates Brothers, equipping a shop near the center of the town for the purpose of manufacturing wire working machinery. On the dissolution of the partnership he became superintendent of the Bates Machine Company and was actively engaged with its organization and incorporation in 1888. As superintendent he took charge of the building of the foundry and shop. The gradual increase of the business to the present large aggregate of products is due, in no small extent, to his ability and judicious oversight, in conjunction with the work of the other officers of the company. The business of the firm was placed on a safe, conservative basis and yet in its conduct there has not been lacking that progressive spirit that has kept the concern in touch with modern business ideals. From the beginning their trade has constantly grown until employment is today given to more than three hundred skilled laborers who are engaged in the manufacture of the company's patents. The output has increased from thirty-five thousand dollars annually to more than seven hundred and fifty thousand and the products are shipped to every part of the globe. The works are located in the east part of Joliet and cover six acres, are connected with the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad, and through it with the Santa Fe, Michigan Central, Alton, and Elgin, Joliet & Eastern roads, by means of which facilities for shipping are furnished that are unequalled in the entire west. One of the most widely known products of the Bates Machine Company's works is the Bates-Corliss engine, which embraces in its construction all that is superior in the original Corliss type, together with many new and important features, which give increased efficiency with a lesser degree of complication. From the foundry to the erecting room the best skill is used in its manufacture, so that the finished product is unexcelled for accuracy of construction and perfect workmanship. Its main attributes are strength, utility, form and durability, all of which are promoted by the original style of valve trips used. In 1895 the Franklin Institute recommended the award of the John Scott legacy medal and premium to Albert J. Bates for his invention of these valve trips. Awards were also received from the judges of engines in the World's Columbian Exposition. The engines are used in every part of the world and have given universal satisfaction wherever introduced. A number of vertical condensing engines have been purchased by the Pullman Palace Car Company and other well known concerns in Chicago. While the bulk of the engines remain in the United States, some have been shipped to other countries. Three steam jacketed cylinder pumping engines were built for the New Heidelberg Roodeport Gold Mining Company at Johannesburg, S. A. R.; two cross compound condensing and one steam jacketed cylinder for the Vesta Gold Mining Company, in the same place, and one engine for the New Rand mines there, while other companies in the same town have purchased engines of various kinds. Shipments have been made to Japan, Mexico and other countries. In the field of wire machinery the Bates Machine Company are pioneers. It is due in no small measure to their efforts that, during the past fifteen years, from an output of five hundred pounds of 8d nails per ten hours the production has increased to three thousand pounds of 8d nails in the same time. The Bates wire nail machine is designed in such a manner as to make it serviceable in the highest degree, and is constructed so as to make either one or two nails at each revolution. The wire nail barbing machine will barb all sizes of nail wire from No. 16 to No. 2 rod, and is equipped with steel shaftings, cut gears and bearings bushed with bronze. Among other machines manufactured are the wire nail rumbler for tumbling and cleaning wire nails and screws, a combination two and four point barbing machine, a plain wire twisting machine, wire staple machine, wire drawing frame and blocks, power wire and hand wire pointing machines, die plate hammering machines, wire baker, wire muffle, wire mill buggy, wire annealing furnace and steam crane, and galvanizing reel and wiper; also the Cookson improved feed water heater, purifier, filter and oil separator, which is said to be one of the finest heaters in the world. Mr. Bates was married in Chicago to Miss Mary Clarey, who was born in Brantford, Canada. They have become the parents of three sons: Harry J., Elbert J. and W. Oswald. Mr. Bates gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is thoroughly informed concerning the issues and questions of the day but is without political aspiration. He holds membership with the Union Club and has a wide and favorable acquaintance in the city in business and social circles. He is a genial, companionable gentleman and those who come within the more intimate circle of his acquaintance delight in his friendship, while all who know him esteem him for what he has accomplished and the methods that he has pursued. The expansion of the business is the visible proof of his enterprise, his close application and his progressive spirit, and in this utilitarian age it is the successful men of business who are the real promoters and up builders of a community. Additional Comments: PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/bates2761nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 8.8 Kb