Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Bates, William O 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 7, 2007, 8:08 pm

Author: Genealogical & Biographical Record

WILLIAM O. BATES, treasurer and general manager of the Bates Machine Company, 
was actively connected with the organization and incorporation of this concern 
in 1888, and, as superintendent, had 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.  Employment 
is given to two hundred skilled laborers, who are engaged in the manufacture 
of the company's patents.  The output has increased from $35,000 to $250,000 
at the present writing, 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, 
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 unequaled in 
the entire west.

Born in Hamilton, Canada, July 15, 1860, the subject of this article is a son 
of Joshua and Mary (Oswald) Bates, natives respectively of Hamilton and 
Brantford, Canada.  His grandfather Bates was of English descent, while the 
other grandfather, James Oswald, a farmer in Canada, traced his ancestry to 
Scotland.  For some years Joshua Bates was employed at pattern-making and 
railroad-building in Canada.  In 1863 he removed to Washington, Iowa, where he 
engaged in contracting and building.  Four years later he settled in Carthage. 
Mo., where he became well known as a contractor.  In 1886 he joined his sons 
in Joliet and assisted them in their factory as a pattern-maker.  He died in 
this city February 10, 1899, when sixty-nine years of age.  His wife died in 
Carthage, Mo.  They were the parents of two daughters (both now in Los 
Angeles, Cal.), and four sons, of whom three are living, all in Joliet.

At the time the family settled in Iowa W. O. Bates was three years of age, and 
four years later he accompanied his parents to Carthage, Mo., where he studied 
in the public and high schools. In 1875 he was apprenticed to the machinist's 
trade in Carthage.  For three years he continued as an apprentice, after which 
he was made foreman in the same shop.  Resigning in 1882, he sought a larger 
field for work, and for three years he was connected with various large shops 
in Chicago.  In 1885 he came to Joliet and assisted in forming the firm of 
Bates Brothers, which equipped a shop near the center of town and began to 
manufacture wire-working machinery. On the dissolution of the partnership he 
became superintendent of the Bates Machine Company, of which, since 1895, he 
has been treasurer and general manager.  His time has been so closely given to 
business matters that he has never mingled with others in the conduct of 
political affairs, although he is well informed concerning politics and 
adheres to Republican principles. Socially he is connected with the Union 
Club. While in Chicago he married Miss Mary Clarey, who was born in Brantford, 
Canada, and by whom he has three sons, Harry J., Elbert J. and W. Oswald.

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 nimbler 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.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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