My Genealogy Hound

Larkin Rufus Bates, farmer and stock dealer, of Cullen Township, was born in Phelps County, Mo., in 1838, and is a son of Larkin and Elizabeth (Thrailkill) Bates, who were born in Kentucky in 1801 and 1800, and died in Missouri in 1850 and 1858, respectively. They were married about 1820, and soon after immigrated to Missouri, locating in Phelps County, where they resided until 1841, when they came to Pulaski County, and settled on the farm now owned by their son, Larkin R. Bates. They were among the pioneer settlers, and the father built a saw-mill on his farm, the site of which is now owned by Solomon Bartlett. Larkin Rufus Bates is the sixth of their eight children, and is the only one now living. He resided with his parents until their respective deaths, and in February, 1858, was married to Miss Alice Ann Matthews, a daughter of William Matthews. .She was born in Miller County, Mo., in 1841, and died in 1863. Three years later Mr. Bates wedded Miss Matilda Howard, a daughter of Silas Howard. She was born in Pulaski County in 1843, and became the mother of two children, Thomas and Effie. The mother of these children died in 1874, and three years later Mr. Bates took for his third wife Miss Mollie Howard, a sister of his second wife. She was born in Hickory County, Mo., in 1859, and is the mother of four children: Alfred, Viola, Matie and Charles. Mr. Bates owns the old homestead, where he has lived since he was three years old. It consists of 400 acres, with 175 acres under cultivation, and is one of the best bottom land farms (if not the best) in the county. He deals quite extensively in stock, and is among the most successful and enterprising citizens in Pulaski County. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first presidential vote for George B. McClellan. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Forty-eighth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, United States Army, and served eleven months, being discharged at Benton Barracks in 1865, having been corporal of his company. In 1862 he was elected sheriff and collector of the county, and served four years. He is a Master Mason.