GATES, Fred Eugene 1858-1925

GATES, RUSSEL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/29/2012 at 22:00:29

FRED E. GATES AT
MARBLE ROCK DIES

END CAME VERY SUDDENLY ON SUNDAY MORNING

Entire Community Mourns Loss of
Respected Citizen; Was Mayor
For 26 Years

The whole community at Marble Rock was shocked Sunday morning, when it was heard that F. E. Gates, mayor, had been called in death. Mr. Gates had been in his tool belt and Saturday evening had attended the show in the opera house. About two o'clock, Sunday morning, he complained of feeling ill, and a physician was called again, but nothing serious was anticipated. Mr. Gates arose as usual in the morning and ate his breakfast. About 9:00 o'clock he went into the bathroom and shortly after, Mrs. Gates, hearing him fall, called the neighbors, and upon entering the door, phone his lifeless body. Death was caused by heart failure.

Fredrick Eugene Gates, son of John Fredrick and Jane Gates, of Marble Rock, Iowa, was born December 6, 1858, and passed away at his home March 29, 1925, page the six years, three months and 23 days. His death came suddenly with heart failure.

Mr. Gates spent the years of his youth on a farm. He was married December 16, 1879, Cora S. Russel, Cedar Falls, Iowa, living on the farm two years, after which he engaged in the mercantile business at Marble Rock, Iowa, and later in the drug business. His wife departed this life April 3, 1887. He entered the lumber business in the year 1888.

The following year, January 1, 1889, he was United in marriage to Viola C. Russel, who with two sisters, Mrs. Katie Sours and Mrs. Wilson C. Myers, and one daughter, Mrs. Ilo Crabtree Smith, survive.

His mother preceded him in the year 1889 and his father in November, 1917. During the years of his active business we are in connection with the firm of Gates and Hoadley the deceased awards to the front ranks of successful and progressive businessmen of the town.

Fred E. Gates was ever an optimist and people practice and preach the gospel of faith, hope and good will. It may truly be said that his untimely death will be felt outside and confines of his own family Circle and immediate business associates, and that he will be missed and morning by the many with whom he met and mingled in the everyday walks of life.

He was honored with the highest office in the municipality, being mayor for 26 years. He had been active in the progressive movements of the town and community. Among them was the bringing of the Charles City Western Railway to Marble Rock, this city waterworks and the more recent electric service and the building of the community hall and other civic improvements.

Today his business associates, neighbors and friends gather at the him today this is and Associates neighbors and friends gathered at the bier of a departed brother and friend to pay our final tribute and respect, and to mingle our tears with those to whom he was closer bound by the ties of love. As the days come and go, new problems will confront us and new faces will appear and time will gradually efface the sorrow of today.

Mr. Gates was a member of the Methodist church of Marble Rock for a number of years, and has always been faithful to his duties as an official member and a liberal supporter. He was a member of the Knights of pythias and a director in the Charles City Western Railway.

The funeral services were held at the Methodist Church, Wednesday afternoon at 2:00, conducted by the pastor, Rev. James Gallagher, assisted by the Rev. Carl A. Smith, pastor of the Baptist Church, and was attended by a vast concourse of people. Interment was made at the East Side Cemetery.

[Iowa Recorder, Wednesday, April 1, 1925]