S. A. GATES, attorney, senior member of the law firm of S. A. Gates & Brother, was born in Athens County, Ohio, February 25, 1850, and was admitted to the bar at Leon, May 1, 1875.  He is a representative of one of the earliest families of Decatur County, his father, S. H. Gates, having settled in Center Township in June, 1855, where he still lives.  He was born in Athens County, Ohio, in 1850.  He came to Decatur County with his father in 1855, and lived on the farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he engaged in teaching school for a period of two years.  In June, 1871, he completed his studies at the Leon High School, being one of four who comprised the first graduating class of that school.  Three of this class were male graduates, all of whom are lawyers.  A. F. Woodruff, of this class, is a leading lawyer at Bethlehem, Missouri, and T. W. Silvers was for a time county attorney of Bates County, same State, and is now an eminent criminal lawyer of that county, being an effective and impressive speaker.  The lady graduate of this class was Miss Emma Jordan, now the wife of R. J. Critchfield, of the Weldon Hornet.  Mr. Gates began the study of law in 1872, with J. W. Penny, Esq., of Leon, who died in the spring of 1874.  He then continued his studies with A.M. Post, who was sent as consul to Cape Verde Islands.  He completed his studies with N. P. Bullock, Esq.  After being admitted to the bar, Mr. Gates at once opened an office, and immediately entered upon a successful and lucrative practice.  In June, 1884, he was joined in the practice by his brother, John N. Gates.  November, 1877, he was married to Emma J. Springer, daughter of Rev. B. O. Springer, one of the early Presbyterians of Decatur County.  Mrs. Gates is a native of Ohio, born February 1, 1853.  They have two children -- Mary A. and Grace.  Politically Mr. Gates is a Republican, and is influential in the local councils of his party.  He is also an Odd Fellow, and member of the Knights of Pythias.  He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Leon.

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)