CHARLES H. BATES, who is numbered among the early settlers of this county, and now resides on section 22, Porter Township, is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Oneida County, on the 7th day of January, 1808, and is the son of John and Roxann (ROBINSON) BATES. He is descended from the old Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, John BATES, Sr., having served as a captain during the struggle of the Colonies for independence, while Isaac C. BATES, his brother, held the office of Colonel.
John BATES, the father of our subject, followed the occupation of farming through his entire life. He also was a defender of his country, during the War of 1812, and after receiving his discharge returned to his home in New York. In 1832, accompanied by his family, he removed to the town of Hudson, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. Six children were born to him and his excellent wife, but of that number our subject is the only one left to record the history of the family. Those who have passed away are Roxanna, John, William, Emily, and Marietta. Mr. BATES was an influential and highly respected citizen of the community in which he made his home, and in politics was a warm advocate of the Whig party. His wife, who was a faithful and consistent member of the Congregational Church, and was beloved by all who knew her, passed to her final rest Aug. 2, 1840, at the age of seventy-two years, and was followed by her husband Nov. 5, 1841, when sixty-nine years of age. They were both interred in the beautiful cemetery at Cleveland, Ohio.
Our subject was reared to farm life, and in the common schools of his native State received his education. At the age of eighteen years, wishing to earn his own livelihood, he began looking about him for some trade, and made choice of the mason's trade, following that occupation until 1837, when he began dealing in stoves. Purchasing stoves to the value of $35,000, he had them shipped from Cleveland, Ohio, to Milwaukee, Wis., together with the frame work for a building which he erected immediately after his arrival. The present city at that time was but a mere hamlet, the settlements in that part of the country being exceedingly few. After a short time Mr. BATES sold his stock and building and again returned to Cleveland, where he made his home until 1854. At that time he again came to the West, and located in Porter, where he now lives. After holding a deed, which he supposed to be worthless, for several years, he found that it was not void, and on his return secured eighty acres of land in Porter Township, on which he had to pay $300 taxes before he could secure the title. Only about twenty acres of the whole amount had been broken, and the only improvement consisted in a little log cabin, into which the family moved.
On the 31st day of December, 1836, Mr. BATES was joined in wedlock with Mrs. Ann Matilda (POWERS) ELMORE, and the family circle was completed by the birth of three children, as follows: Emily, Charles Jr., and John, all yet with their parents.
Mr. BATES had acquired his entire possessions by his own efforts of industry, ability, energy, and good management. A finely improved farm of 240 acres pays a golden tribute to his care and cultivation and in connection with that land his son John owns and operates eighty acres. As on all model farms, stock of the best grades can be found, together with the latest improved machinery.
When the late war broke out and the country called for troops to put down the Rebellion, Mr. BATES responded, and became a member of Company G, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, serving until the close of hostilities. On receiving his discharge he at once returned to his home and resumed the occupation of farming, which he has carried on continuously since. He is a worthy and valued citizen, and socially, is a Master Mason, while in political sentiment, he is a stalwart Republican. He is well informed on all questions of general interest, and as every true American should do, takes an active part in political affairs, though he has never been an office-seeker. For ten years he has served as School Director, but during that entire time he has never solicited a vote. He cast his first Presidential ballot for Henry Clay, and in 1840 voted for Gen. William Harrison. He also voted, in 1888, for the Hon. Benjamin Harrison, and in early life remembers seeing our present executive, then a lad of ten or twelve years, with his grandfather in Cleveland.
In 1870 Mr. BATES was called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who was called to her final rest on the 27th day of May. She was a member of the Congregational Church, a firm believer in the religious view of that denomination, and an earnest and sincere Christian lady. She was interred in the Fawcett Cemetery, at Edgerton. Mr. BATES has been a resident of Rock county for many long years, and has been prominently identified with the growth and progress of Porter Township. He ahs witnessed almost the entire development of town and county, from the time when settlements were few, market places far distant, and the prairies covered with a thick growth of wild grass. The work of transformation has been steadily carried forward by the early settlers, until now Rock is on a par with any county in this great commonwealth. We are pleased to record the sketch of one who has been and is so prominent in this community, and is a highly respected citizen.
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 681-682