Biography - THOMAS MARION GATES

There are few more prosperous farmers in Macoupin county than Thomas [Marion Gates whose place, on section 2, Honey Point township, is not only one of the most attractive but is one of the best managed and most profitable properties of its size in this part of the county. Mr. Gates has been connected with agriculture since his earliest recollection and applies the best known methods in all departments of his business, thus securing definite and satisfactory results.

He comes of German ancestry and was born on a farm near Greenville, Muhlenberg county, Kentucky, June 12, 1852, a son of Henry and Sarah (Jenkins) Gates. The father was born in Pennsylvania and learned the wagon maker’s trade but later devoted his attention to farming. He removed to Kentucky and when his son Thomas was in his infancy came to Illinois and purchased a farm of eighty acres in Sangamon county. After cultivating this place for ten years he sold it and located on eighty acres in Shaws Point township, Macoupin county, where he continued until his death, which occurred about 1873. Mrs. Gates remained upon the home farm until after her children grew to maturity. She survived her husband twenty-two years and died about 1895. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gates were the following children: Julian and Albert K., both of whom are deceased; Franklin W., who engaged in farming and is now living retired at Girard; Harrison H., who is a gardener and lives near Santa Rosa, California; Perry, who is a painter and carpenter by trade but is now serving as mail carrier at Litchfield; Andrew P., who is engaged in farming three miles east of Carlinville; Delila, deceased; Thomas M.; Lee and Sarah Ellen, both of whom are also deceased; and Mollie E., who is the wife of S. S. Groves, a farmer of Honey Point township.

Thomas M. Gates attended the district schools of Shaws Point township and grew to manhood on his father’s farm. He was married at the age of twenty-six and soon afterwards rented one hundred and seventy-hve acres of Samuel Dugger, in Shaws Point township, which he cultivated to good advantage for three years. He rented land in other parts of this section for eight years and then purchased one hundred acres on section 2, upon which he has made his home for twenty-one years. He also cultivates the old homestead and for eight or ten years past has rented two hundred acres besides. His farm is all capable of cultivation and is one of the highly improved properties of the neighborhood. It is well supplied with water and possesses natural drainage—a feature which is of special importance to farmers. Mr. Gates is an extensive hog feeder and also takes a great interest in fruit-raising, a fine orchard of summer and fall applebearing trees being evidence of his skill along this line.

On August 23, 1874, Mr. Gates was married to Miss Mollie E. Schindler, a daughter of George and Betsy Schindler, who were formerly residents of Honey Point township. Three children were born to this union: Flossie E., who married John Gamble; Walter, who is assisting his father upon the home farm; and Essie, the wife of Herbert Roderick, who is engaged in the mercantile business at Virden and has one son, Clifford Melvin, aged two years. The mother of these children died December 3, 1880, and Mr. Gates was married October 12, 1882, to Miss Carrie L. Blackwell, a daughter of Jonathan S. and Eleanor H. (Keas) Blackwell, the former of whom was of Scotch-American descent and was born near Greenville, Kentucky. He learned the harness-maker’s trade but engaged in farming after coming to Macoupin county, Illinois. He died in Montgomery county June 12, 1873, having reached the age of fifty-six years and two months. The mother of Mrs. Gates was of Irish-American descent and was born near Louisville, Kentucky. She came to Macoupin county, Illinois, with her parents when she was ten years old. After the death of her husband she remained upon the home farm for a number of years but later lived around among her children. She died July 27, 1898, at the age of seventy-seven years, three months and three days. By his second marriage Mr. Gates became the father of seven children. Ethel is the wife of Carson Besanceney, of Honey Point township, and the mother of two children, Zelma M., who is six years of age; and Reba M., aged three years. Susie, Thomas Stanley, James F., Willard G., Gladys H. and Alma B. are all living at home. Gladys and Alma are students in district school No. 100 of Honey Point township.

Politically Mr. Gates gives his support to the democratic party and, although he has never sought public office, he has for eight years past served as a member of the school board of Jus district and also filled the office of pathmaster of Honey Point township for two years. He is a member of the lodge of Modern Woodmen of America at Barnett, in which he served as worthy adviser for four years. He and his wife and his daughter Flossie are actively identified with the Baptist church of Shaws Point township, while Ethel, Susie, Thomas Stanley, Willard and Gladys are members of the New Hope Baptist church of Montgomery county. Essie is connected with the Christian church of Virden and is one of its active workers. Notwithstanding the exacting demands of his business Mr. Gates may always be depended upon to perform his part in advancing movements which aim to promote the welfare of this region. He has many friends who admire him for his business ability, his useful life and also because he is known to be one who under all circumstances aims to be just and fair.

Extracted 20 Oct 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 238-240.