George Coates (1843-1916)

COATES

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 3/26/2022 at 16:00:04

George Coates
(August 21, 1843 – January 21, 1916)

George Coates is acceptably filling the position of postmaster at Farnhamville and has been honored with other local offices in which his fidelity to duty and faithful service have won him high commendation. He was born in Rutland County, Vermont. August 21, 1843, and is the son of Charles W. and Lucinda (Haradon) Coates. The father was born in Connecticut and the mother in the Green Mountain state. Charles W. Coates devoted his time and attention to farming and spent the greater part of his business career in Vermont, but in 1847 decided to seek a home in the broad west with its many opportunities. He therefore made his way to Wisconsin and in 1848 went to Kane County, Illinois, where he remained until about 1867. In that year he arrived in Iowa, where he spent his remaining days, passing away at the advanced age of eighty-one years. His wife still survives him and is residing in Farnhamville, having traveled for more than eighty years upon the journey of life. The father of our subject was a very industrious and hard working man and his life was ever honorable and upright, so that he left to his family an untarnished name and an example which is in many respects well worthy of emulation.
George Coates is one of a family of five children, all of whom are living. He was but a boy when his parents located in Illinois and there he pursued his education in the district schools, acquiring a good knowledge of the elementary branches of the English language. In his youth he followed general farming and when a boy also worked at the mason's trade. He was but eighteen years of age when in 1861 he responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting in Company A, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry. With his regiment he went to the front and participated in all the engagements in which
he took part. He entered the service as a private but was promoted to the rank of sergeant and when hostilities had ceased he was honorably discharged in 1865. Brave and loyal he was ever found at his post of duty, defending the starry banner and the cause it represented.
Mr. Coates came to Iowa in 1866 and for five years he resided in Benton County, after which he removed to Marshall County, which was his home for ten years. On the expiration of that period he located in Jasper County, and afterward removed to Webster County, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres and lived there for nine years, until age and overwork induced him to rent the farm and move to town. For the past six years he has made
his home in Farnhamville. For a number of years he filled the position of justice of the peace and was also town assessor. In the former position his "even handed justice" won him high commendation, for he ever discharged his duties without fear or favor. He has also been school director and the
cause of education has profited by his actions and able service. He is the present postmaster of Farnhamville, having been appointed by President Roosevelt, and entered upon his term of office on the 1st of January, 1902.
In 1868 Mr. Coates was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Rogers, a native of Chautauqua County, New York, and they now have four children : Fred, Georgia, Helen and Addie. Socially Mr. Coates is connected with the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in Belle Plains Lodge, No. 175, F. & A. M., in Benton County, thirty-four years ago. He is known as an exemplary member of the craft and in his life shows forth its beneficent spirit. He also has pleasant relationships with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army Post at Gowrie. To his duties of citizenship he has ever been loyal, whether in civic office or upon the battlefields of the
south, and the qualities of an upright manhood have won him high esteem in the community in which he makes his home. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.260]