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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Prairie County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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David Gates, DeVall’s Bluff, Ark. A number of years passed in sincere and honest endeavor to thoroughly discharge every duty in the different lines of business to which his attention has been directed has contributed very materially to the success that has fallen to Mr. Gates’ career in life. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1845, and was the fourth in a family of five children, the fruits of the union of Mayer and Henrietta Gates, natives also of Bavaria, Germany. The father was a stock breeder, a butcher and an extensive land owner. He died in 1881, and the mother in 1883, in their native country. Ferdinand, their eldest son, came to America in 1855, settled at Hickory Plains, Prairie County, Ark., and in 1865 engaged in business at Des Arc. Later he had four stores, one at De Vall’s Bluff, another at Lonoke, another at Cotton Plant and still another at Des Arc. He is closing out the one at Des Arc. He is now residing at Memphis. He was in the service for three years. Isaac, another son, came to Prairie County, Ark., in 1856, engaged in peddling until 1865, and then engaged as partner with his brother Ferdinand. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate army, was quartermaster and commissary in Bragg’s division, and was wounded at Chattanooga and Murfreesboro. He suffered from paralysis and died in 1884. David Gates came direct to Prairie County, Ark., in 1857, and although but little over twelve years of age he commenced working for his brother on a salary. He was educated at Hickory Plains, Ark., and in 1862 he donned his suit of gray, shouldered his musket, and enlisted in Company A, Col. Glenn’s regiment of infantry. He participated in the battle of Little Rock, and afterward was placed in Woodruff’s battalion of artillery. He was in the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, and was with Gen. Price in his raid through Missouri. He surrendered at Marshall, Tex., in 1865, after which he returned to Prairie County, but in 1866 went to the Lone Star State, where he was engaged in the stock business and in running a wagon train. In 1868 he returned to Prairie County, and was engaged on a salary for his brother as collector and outside manager. They own a stock ranch of 480 acres, and make a speciality of raising blooded stock, especially Hereford and short-horned cattle. They also raise cotton, corn, millet and peas. The subject of this sketch owns individually about 1,200 acres, with 450 acres under cultivation. He is also engaged in raising horses. Mr. Gates was married in Des Arc in 1881 to Miss Carrie Greer, a native of Des Arc. They have two children: Stella and Fannie Pearl. Mr. Gates is a member of the K. of H. in Brinkley, and is also a, member of De Vall’s Bluff Lodge, No. 41, K. of P.

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This family biography is one of 94 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Prairie County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Prairie County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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