My Genealogy Hound

AUSTIN D. BATES, a prosperous farmer and business man of Cummington, was born in that town, March 20, 1837, son of Dorrance and Hannah (Damon) Bates. Mr. Bates’s great-grandparents were Nehemiah and Mehitable (Marble) Bates.

Nehemiah Bates was born in Abington, Mass., in 1740. He moved from Abington to Chesterfield, Mass., where he settled upon the farm which is now owned by H. Bates, and followed agriculture successfully until his death, which occurred at a good old age. His children were: Joel, Mehitable, Nathaniel, Ephraim, Asa, Levi, Elijah, Mehitable (second), Gersham, Solomon, and Ruth. Levi Bates, grandfather of Austin D. Bates, was born in Abington, September 9, 1771. He learned the trade of a carpenter, and settled in Cummington, upon the farm which is now occupied by P. Bates. He became a prosperous farmer, owning one hundred and thirty acres of land, and died aged thirty years. He was a Whig in politics and a Baptist in his religious creed. Levi Bates married Lorina Hersey, who was born March 5, 1775; and they had eight children, as follows: Malensa, Levi, Dorrance, Melinda, Lucinda, Lucretia, Phidelia, and Philander. The mother died April 26, 1849.

Dorrance Bates, Mr. Bates’s father, was born in Cummington, January 25, 1803, and, when a young man, acquired the carpenter’s trade, which he followed as an occupation. He first settled upon two acres of land, but later he purchased the adjoining property, which was known as the E. Culver homestead, consisting of one hundred acres; and here he resided until his death. He died aged forty-nine years. His wife, Hannah (Damon) Bates, who was born in 1812, became the mother of five children: Finley V.; Austin D.; Hollister, who died young; Osmyn; and Hollister, second. She died at the age of seventy-nine.

Austin D. Bates was reared to agriculture, and succeeded to the possession of the old homestead by purchasing the interests of the other heirs. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaming in a small way upon a route which included the city of Northampton and the towns of Huntington, Dalton, and Adams; and this undertaking later developed into an extensive business. He also engaged in the sale of feed, grain, flour, and fertilizer, which he buys by the carload; and in this branch of trade he has also become successful. He has added thirty acres to his farm, keeps ten choice cows, has enlarged his residence, and remodelled his other farm buildings. The property is situated near the Hillside agricultural grounds; and during the annual fair he provides dinners for a large number of people and provender for quite a number of horses. He also owns an interest in the creamery.

On November 27, 1862, Mr. Bates was united in marriage to Sarah D. Brewster, daughter of Andrew and Phoebe (Sherman) Brewster. Mr. and Mrs. Bates have one son, named Herbert A., who was born October 7, 1871, and is now in business with his father. Mr. Bates is a Republican in politics; and, although frequently requested to serve in town offices, he has always declined, as his business requires his entire time and energy.