My Genealogy Hound

BATES, PETER J. retired farmer. Peter J. Bates is a native of New York State, where he was born in 1813, and is the youngest son of Peter and Elizabeth Bates. On the old farm homestead our subject worked almost from the time his head reached the plow handles until attaining his twenty-fifth year, when he crossed the plains for southern Illinois, settling in Greene County some eight miles south west of White Hall, where he secured employment in the White Hall Steam Mill, used principally as a saw mill, although in connection crude machinery was in use for the grinding of grist. During this time Mr. Bates was the owner of farm property and afterwards turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, during the war becoming the proprietor of a hotel. May 7, 1839, he was married to Miss Rebecca Rumrill, a daughter of John Rumrill, a native of Germany, Of this marriage five children were born, Mary E. deceased, Wesley B., Cornelia C., Geo. B. deceased, and Lewis O. Two years ago Mr. Bates erected his present residence and established what is now the well-known Bates’ Nursery. Mrs. Bates died on the 24th of March, 1875; for many years Mrs. Bates was prominently identified with the M. E. church, and her untimely death was deeply deplored by a large circle of acquaintances.