GATES, George W. 1859-1927
GATES, TIFT, REIS
Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 9/10/2011 at 19:15:12
GEORGE W. GATES
#1:
G. W. GATES DIES
AT MARBLE ROCKDeath Came Suddenly Monday At 12:00 O'Clock.
Was Vice President of Marble Rock Bank
Prominent and Respected CitizenGeorge W. Gates, a respected citizen of Marble Rock, prominent in business, civic and social circles, passed away suddenly Monday noon, at the age of 68 years, death being caused by heart trouble.
He had not been in good health for the past few months but his sudden demise came as a severe shock to his family and the entire Marble Rock community in general. That he was afflicted with heart trouble was first known to him about eighteen months ago, when he collapsed on his way to the Dr. O'Keefe office fire. From this time on he felt the results more or less from a weak heart.
In November, last year, he went to Rochester for an examination. Here he was told of the seriousness of his condition and advised that he must release himself from all activities for a while and keep himself quiet in order to regain his strength. About two months ago he again went to Rochester, and while there suffered a severe heart attack and was compelled to remain in bed for three weeks. Four weeks ago Sunday he returned home with Instructions from physicians that he must keep himself quiet and take complete rest.
Monday forenoon Mr. Gates was about the house and feeling exceptionally good. He felt so strong that he watered the flower boxes at his home and then walked to the bank where he chatted with friends, who were glad to see him feeling so well. He returned home about noon and greeting his wife, walked into the kitchen, where he was stricken and fell to the floor, dead -— not a spark of life remaining. Dr. C.A. Wilson was summoned and upon examination found that death came instantly.
Pioneers In the State.
Early pioneers of this part of the state were Charles and John Gates, Charles being the father of the deceased, and John being the father of Fred, who passed away very suddenly about a year ago. These old settlers, with the assistance of their children, helped develop this country and make it one of the most prosperous sections of the state.
An Active Life.
The ambitions of the parents were carried on down through the life of the deceased. Perhaps no man ever took a more active art and interest in a community than did George Gates.
While he was actively engaged in his personal affairs, he always took time to take part in social and civic enterprises. He was a member of the town council of Marble Rock continuously for about 45 years, being still a member at the time of his death. He also was a member of the school board for many years and during the greater art of his affiliation with the board he was president.
To him, and his cousin, Fred Gates, was accredited the success of the municipal electric light and power plant. It was through their influence that this improvement was made and in 1914, a year after the dam and power plant was built, was when the high water washed out and wrecked the entire property. George financed the project so it could be rebuilt. In 1926 the property was sold to the Northeastern Iowa Power Co. at a nice profit to the town of Marble Rock.
The new high school building was built during the period he president of the school board.
He was president of the Floyd County Bankers Association for the past seven years and also took an active interest in the State Bankers Association, attending most of their conferences and conventions.
He did not lose sight of church interests, being a member of the Methodist Church and acted as treasurer for 25 consecutive years. He also was Sunday school superintendent for nineteen years. He was a member of the Masonic lodge of Marble Rock and the Eastern Star chapter of Green.
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#2:OBITUARY
George W. Gates was born May 12, 1859, in Marble Rock, Iowa, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gates, living in a log house which stood where now the Ed Garber residence stands. He died August 1, 1927, at noon.
When about a year old his parents moved onto the farm south and west of the Gates bridge. When he became of school age he attended rural school and when about 17 years of age he attended the State Normal at Cedar Falls, Iowa. After this he taught rural school for several years.
He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Tift on the 20th day of September, 1882, and to this union was born one daughter, Mrs. Leila Margaret Reis. Immediately following his marriage he moved to Marble Rock, where he entered into the mercantile business and later engaged int the banking business in Marble Rock for the past 45 years. He was partner in the banking business with J. B. Sheperdson and son, W. S.
Besides his bereaved wife and daughter, Mrs. R. B. Reis, he leaves to mourn his death, two grandchildren, Elizabeth Jean and George Raymond Reis, two brothers, Henry and Albert Gates, and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon at 3 o'clock in the Methodist church at Marble Rock.
[Iowa Recorder, Green, Iowa, Wednesday, August 3, 1927]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Photo from photo collections at the Marble Rock Historial Museum. It was taken on 7/27/1927, four days before he died.
Floyd Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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