Thurston County WA Archives Biographies.....Bates, John M. November 6, 1895 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wa/wafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com June 26, 2010, 8:54 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Page 431 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company JOHN M. BATES, who operates a large, modern garage at 386 Taylor street, Portland, is a man of progressive tendencies, as has been evidenced by the character of his business activities, in which his enterprise has been rewarded with a gratifying measure of success. Mr. Bates was born in Olympia, Washington, on the 6th of November, 1895, and is a son of David C. and Elsie (Reese) Bates, who were married in 1890. In that year David C. Bates went from Kansas to Olympia, Washington, where he engaged in business until 1910 and has since been in Portland. John M. Bates has two brothers, Reese Curtis, who is manager of the Motoramp garage in Portland, and Donald Grave, president and general manager of the Oregon Transfer Company. John M. Bates received his elementary education in the public schools of Olympia, graduated from high school in Portland, and entered the University of Washington, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He first turned his attention to the garage business, becoming interested in the modern type, the leading feature of which is a patent system of ramps and staggered floors, which does away with the necessity of elevators and enables the patrons to drive in high gear from the first to the top floors. In the operation of this he has shown a high type of business ability and has well merited the prosperity which is now his. In 1925 Mr. Bates was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Geiser, of Baker City, Oregon, who attended the University of Oregon. Mr. Bates is a Mason and a member of the American Legion, the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Washington University Alumni Association. He is a veteran of the World war, having enlisted at Seattle, Washington, in April, 1917. He went into training at Camp Murray, was later transferred to Charlotte, North Carolina, and from there to Camp Mills, Long Island. He embarked for France, November 26, 1917, and after further training in that country went into action with the First Division, being at the front almost continuously from July to October, during which period he was wounded. In the early spring of the following year he returned to this country and was honorably discharged March 20, 1919. He is a man of great energy and determination, has shown discriminating judgment in all of his affairs and his record has earned for him the genuine respect and confidence of his fellowmen. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/thurston/bios/bates167gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/wafiles/ File size: 3.1 Kb