Robert Coates 1864-1889

COATES, SANFORD, KINNER, GALLEY, MITCHELL

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 6/1/2017 at 08:49:40

Dubuque Telegraph Herald Friday, January 25, 1889 Pg. C3

The Death of Robert Coates, One of the Leading Young Men of the City - A Sad Struggle Against the Inevitable Rob Coates is dead. A few years ago he was one of the best developed young men in Dubuque, liked by everyone, popular with his associates, of good business attainments, the possessor of a small fortune, and having everything worth living for. But the dread cancer seized him in its cruel grasp, and he now lies dead, poor fellow, departing to the other world at 9:30 o'clock yesterday morning. It was two years and over that the cancer first made its appearance, and although repeated operations failed to give relief, he yet manfully hoped on, wearing his misfortune with a pleasant spirit and never giving up till a few weeks ago. Robert Coates was born in Dubuque in 1864, being 24 years old at the time of his death.

He was educated at the city schools, and for several years was private secretary to the late H. W. Sanford, whose business matters he attended to. On the latter's death in 1884 he left his young secretary $20,000. Rob prepared for and soon after entered Cornell College at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. It was in December, 1886, while at Cornell, that his right eye, which had been bothering him for some time, became so inflamed that he was obliged to leave the college. On the way home he visited Dr. Galley, of Anamosa, who at once suspected the existence of a cancer but did not acquaint Mr. Coates with his belief. Dr. Kinnier, the eye and ear specialist of this city, reached the same conclusion. A visit was then made to New York with Dr. Kinnier, and at different times two operations were made there under directions of the leading surgeons of the country. In the first operation his eyeball was removed, and in the second a part of the bone of the socket. Four operations were made in Dubuque later, parts of the cancer being removed from the cheek, the back of the ear and under the jaw. The last operation was made in Chicago by Dr. Mitchell, president of a college of homeopathy, who used both drugs and the knife. He is a cancer specialist, though he had not yet given his theories to the medical profession. After his operation he abandoned hope and sent his patient home to die. Robert was very hopeful until the physician announced his conclusion.

Thereafter he was nervous and impatiently waited the end. The cancer prevented his swallowing during the past few days. He was very nervous, the least noise jarring him. The cancer had extended over his right cheek, under his ear, and over his shoulder, neck and breast. Opiates were given him the last day or two to relieve the pain, rendering him almost unconscious. He rallied however a short time before his death, recognized those about him, and passed peacefully away. While death is always sad, yet in his case it must be regarded as a blessing and relief. Rob lived at the residence of his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Wm. Coates, on the North Cascade road, a short distance beyond Grandview avenue. The deceased was prominent member the Knights of Pythias. The cause of the cancer has always been a mystery. The funeral will be on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
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HE SLEEPS

A Quiet Death Ends the Long Suffering of Robert Coates

The Record of His Kind Deeds and Gracious Bearing is the Fittest Tribute to His Memory

Robert W. Coates died on Wednesday morning at 9:30 o'clock, at the residence of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Coates on Dodge Street.
For more than two years he suffered a terrible affliction from cancer of the face, and yet under it all he never gave up hope. With the high courage of a robust young man he maintained the unequal struggle to the last. His patience and bravery were subjected to a terrible test, but out of the fire there came pure gold and true manhood. The fortitude and cheerful spirit, which sustained him, aroused the sympathy and profound admiration of hundreds to whom he was known only by name. The many friends who knew "Rob" Coates so intimately and loved him so well, needed no such terrible trial to set a seal upon their affection for him. Few men have formed friendships so warm and so general. For "Rob" was no respecter of persons. He knew no differences, of wealth or station in society. To all alike he was the same honest, noble-hearted young man. The feeling with which he was regarded may perhaps be judged from a remark made last evening by an old Irish laborer. He said: "God bless the boy. He was as true a friend as ever a man had."

Robert Coates died in his twenty-fifth year. He was a native of Dubuque, and lived here all his life. After graduating at the high school he entered the employ of the late H.W. Sanford, as private secretary. In that position, as in every relation of life, he won the respect and love of those with whom he was thrown in contact. He remained with Mr. Sanford until the death of the latter, who in his will left him a legacy of $20,000 in United States bonds. Leaving this office, Mr. Coates entered Cornell College at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. It was there, in December 1886, that the first symptoms of the terrible malady made themselves manifest. A chronic irritation of the right eye compelled him to give up his studies and he accepted a clerical position in the office of Duncan and Waller. The disease however was relentless and soon forced him to retire altogether from active work. He had the attention and treatment of the most skillful and eminent physicians in the country. After each trial, when temporary relief was obtained, he plucked up spirit and seemed to think himself on the high way to complete recovery. At any rate he never allowed his friends to see that he realized his inevitable doom.

Robert Coates was one of the most popular young men in the city. Handsome, talented and brave, he proved again in his life the truth of the old saying, that "the bravest are the gentlest." We may say of him, without wasting words in needless eulogy, that he was one who bore without reproach the grand old name of gentleman.

Mr. Coates leaves surviving him his parents, two sisters, Henrietta and Myra and two brothers, Frank and Edgar. The funeral notice appears in another column.