Biography - Q. H. BATES

Among the native sons of Macoupin county who should receive adequate mention in a historical work treating of the development and present status of the county is Q. H. Bates, who was born in Bird township October 8, 1863. He is a son of George W. and Agnes Anne (Adams) Bates, the former of whom was born in Macoupin county in 1837. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Tennessee and was born near Chattanooga. He came to Macoupin county early in the ’30s and took up his residence on what is now called Shinbone. Shortly afterwards he purchased land in Bird township, on which Comer Station is now located, and established his home there. This land was raw prairie when he took possession and he diligently set to work making improvements which largely increased its value. He spent the remainder of his life upon his farm. He was a quiet, unassuming man and took a great interest in religious affairs, being an earnest member of the Baptist church and instrumental in the erection of the first church building in this locality.

George W. Bates grew to manhood on the home place and later purchased a tract of land in Carlinville township, upon which he resided until his death, on the 4th of February, 1879. He was prominently connected with the Masonic order and was respected as one of the representative citizens of the community. The mother of our subject was also a native of Macoupin county and was a woman of many admirable traits of heart and character. She died in December, 1870, when her son Q. H. was quite young. There were six children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bates, namely: Lelia, who is the wife of Lewis Griffith, of Nashville, Tennessee; D. M., who is living on the old home place; Q. H., of this review; William W., who resides in Chicago; Ida A., the wife of Everett Cole, of South Otter township; and James C., living near Plainview, Illinois.

Q. H. Bates possessed advantages of education in the country schools and continued with his father until after reaching maturity. He then engaged in farming and continued at various places in the county until eleven years ago when he purchased the land upon which he now resides. His farm consists of eighty acres and is located in section 26 of Bird township. He has made many improvements and by the proper rotation of crops has brought the land to a high state of productiveness. He uses good judgment in the selection of stock and his farm is one of the most profitable of its size in the township. He also buys and sells grain at Comer Station and in all his operations has displayed a discrimination which is one of the most important elements in the accomplishment of any worthy object.

On the 27th of January, 1886, Mr. Bates was married to Miss Addie E. Forsythe, a native of Bird township and a daughter of Columbus Forsythe who is now living in Carlinville township. Three children have been born to this union, George C., Victor L. and Ruby Inez, all of whom are living at home.

In politics Mr. Bates gives his allegiance to the democratic party, the principles of which he heartily espouses. He has never shirked responsibility and is now serving for the sixth year as a member of the board of county supervisors, a position which he has filled with the highest credit. He has also occupied the offices of highway commissioner, tax collector, assessor and school director. He has discharged his duties acceptably to the people of the township irrespective of party and no man in the county possesses in a higher degree the confidence of his neighbors. He and his estimable wife are members of Shiloh Baptist church and he is also affiliated with the lodge of Modern Woodmen of America at Carlinville. On account of his genial social qualities he can claim many friends who speak of him as one of the most substantial and reliable men of this section.

Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 31-32.