Alexander Franklin Gates - First Mayor of Lytle Texas

Birth:  April 3, 1846    Natchitoches, Louisiana
Death:  May 24, 1918    Lytle, Texas
Married (1) Harriet Elizabeth Williams July 20, 1864, in Atascosa County
             (2) A. California Williams March 22, 1866, in Pleasanton, Texas
             (3) Mary Ann Hethcock May 7, 1873, in Pleasanton, Texas

Birth — Alexander Franklin Gates was born on April 3, 1846, in Marthaville, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana to Elizabeth Jane Stacy Gates, age 21, and William Norwood Billy Gates, age 28. He was named after his maternal grandfather Alexander Franklin Stacy. He was the eldest son to reach adulthood for the couple. His family and friends called him Franklin. 

Early Childhood — Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-A-Tish) is Louisiana's oldest town. It was established in 1714 as a French colony. It sits along the Eastern edge of the historic El Camino Real trail, a hard beaten path that ran from the banks of the Red River in Louisiana to San Antonio connecting settlements along its path. Today it is a quaint town, full of historic buildings. Located in Central Louisiana adjacent to I-49, Natchitoches largest claim to fame is being the location for the filming of the movie Steel Magnolias. 

When the Gates family came to Natchitoches, it  was a cultural crossroads. The  blood of the Creole descendants can be traced to Spanish and French soldiers, Anglo traders and farmers, African slaves and American Indians. The Creole families settled along the Red River where they farmed tobacco and indigo. The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 led to wide spread cotton cultivation. Large plantation owners used slave labor to cultivate cotton. Other cash crops were tobacco, sugar cane and indigo. The area included a large population of "free people of color" many of which owned slaves and large plantations. 

The Gates family like their Anglo neighbors were latecomers to the area. Arriving with the English language, Protestant religion and a new form of representative government, Americans were foreign in almost every way to the Creoles of Natchitoches.

Franklin's parents, Billy and Jane homesteaded 80 acres of Louisiana wilderness near Marthaville, (about 20 miles west of Natchitoches). Their ownership predates the Rains family who are credited with founding the town of Marthaville in 1851. The first school in Marthaville was built in 1853 and the post office opened in 1855. We don't know what the Gates family grew on their farm land, but it is doubtful it was cotton plantation; there is no record of the Gates family owning slaves. 

1850 census — The first official record of Franklin is found in the 1850 census which taken on November 13th, 1850. Three of Franklin's cousins were living with his family, Eudora, and Salina, and Erby Sanders. The census shows that Franklin's older sister Lavana, age 6, cousins Erby 7 and Eudora 10 were attending school. The family was enumerated as follows: (Note: enumerator switched the given names of Elizabeth and daughter Lavana) 

1850 US Census, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana

Household	Sex	Age	Birthplace	Occupation	Real Estate	Attended School?	Over 20  can’t read/write
William Gates	M	30	Alabama	Farmer	$200
Levina Gates	F	26	Alabama				x
Elizabeth Gates	F	6	Arkansas			x
Alex Gates	M	4	Louisiana
Jas Gates	M	2	Louisiana
Algora Sanders	F	10	Louisiana			x
Urba Sanders	M	7	Louisiana			x
Salina Sanders	F	5	Louisiana

Move to Texas — In 1853 when Franklin was about 9 years old, his parents and his maternal aunt and uncle, Martha and Joe Gardner decided to move to Texas. The families sold their land and most of their possessions. Two family with 5 children each including newborn John Columbus Gates born April 22nd, packed their goods into a single covered wagon. They hitched up a pair of oxen named Buck and Brandy and headed west. Family lore says the families wintered at Sandies Creek, Texas where Nancy Gardner was born on September 3rd, 1853. They arrived in Atascosa County on October 4, 1854, they had traveled about 420 miles.

Franklin's family settled in a pretty valley on the banks of Palo Alto creek. His father built a home and settled his growing family on his 160 acre homestead. In 1860 his father purchased an additional 160 acres of land from Daniel Day. Soon the area was called Gates Valley. Most of the families who settled in the valley were related to Franklin by blood or by marriage including his uncles Abner Valentine Gates, and Uncle Joe Gardner. Franklin and his brothers were raised "in the saddle"; they learned the stockman trade at an early age.

Franklin's father valued education and religion. In order to ensure his growing family was educated, Billy donated land in Gates Valley for a school and for a Baptist Church.

1860 census — On August 14th, 1860, the family was enumerated in Atascosa County. Franklin's 16 year old sister Lavanna was living nearby with her new husband Wright Williams. On the family ranch, 22 of the 320 acres were "improved" (cleared and used for grazing, grass or tillage). The remaining land was open range where livestock roamed at will. The agricultural census identified livestock valued at $888 including 10 horses, 16 milk cows, 2 oxen, 32 other cattle, and 80 pigs.

United States Census, 1860 for Atascosa County, Texas

Household	Sex	Age	Birthplace	Occupation	Real Estate Personal Estate	Attended School?	Over 20 & can’t read/write
W N Gates	M	42	Tennessee	Farmer	$320 / $660
Elizabeth Gates	F	36	Alabama				x
A F Gates	M	14	Louisiana			x
James Gates	M	12	Louisiana			x
Martha E Gates	F	10	Louisiana			x
John C Gates	M	8	Louisiana			x
Mary J Gates	F	4	Texas
Nancy J Gates	F	2	Texas

American Civil War — On March 2, 1861, Texas formally seceded from the United States to become the seventh Confederate state. It is unclear how the Gates family viewed the conflict. Franklin, the eldest son was 15 when the conflict began, he remained at home after coming of age in 1864. Much of Texas was conflicted about the war including Gov. Sam Houston who struggled with loyalties to both his nation and his adopted state. His firm belief in the Union cost him his office when he refused to take an oath of allegiance to the new government. 

Marriage 1 — On July 20, 1864, 18 year old Alexander Franklin Gates married 16 year old Harriet Elizabeth Williams in Atascosa, Texas. Harriett was likely the daughter of George Williams and the sister of Franklin's brother-in-law Wright Williams. Franklin and Harriett settled in Atascosa County, probably with or near Franklin's parents.  

AF Gates' brand

According to Franklin's grandson Terrell Gates, "Alexander Franklin Gates was a rancher who followed in his father's footsteps for they both raised herds of cattle and fine quarter horses. They knew good land, good horses and good cattle. he recorded his livestock firebrand ... at the courthouse in Atascosa County on September 23, 1865.

The young couple's happiness didn't last long. On September 29, 1865, 17 year old Harriet died of Typhoid Fever. She was buried in Rutledge Cemetery in Poteet, Texas.

Marriage 2 — On March 22, 1866, 20 year old A. F. Gates married Miss A. C. Williams in Atascosa, Texas. 16 year old California was the daughter of Wright Williams and Lucinda Pigg. The couple settled in Atascosa County and soon started a family. Their daughter, Frances E Gates was born on March 13, 1867. The sweet little girl wasn't strong enough to survive; 8 day old Francis died on March 21, 1867. Her parent buried her in Rutledge Cemetery in Poteet, Texas. 

Sometime around 1866, Franklin selected land in Atascosa County to homestead. According to the Atascosa County tax records, in 1866 A.F. Gates was assessed a poll tax.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           In 1867 he was taxed on 160 acres of land, 10 horses, and 30 head of cattle. The following year his taxable assets were listed as 160 acres of land worth $ 80, 13 horses and 54 head of cattle. By 1870 his assets had increased to 160 acres of land, 17 horses and 100 head of cattle. In 1869, he submitted the necessary paperwork to claim the land patent for 160 acres. After completing all the requirements Franklin received the Patent for 160 acres based in 1873.

One of the first cattleman associations in Texas had it's beginning in the coybow town of Pleasanton, Texas located in Atascosa County. The association was the Stock Raiser's Association of Western Texas, organized in 1867. I suspect that Franklin and his father Billy and were both members of this association.

In 1867, 20 year old Franklin joined the Atascosa Masonic Lodge No. 283 in Pleasanton, Texas. He would remain an active and dedicated Mason for the remainder of his life.

1870 census — On July 28th, 1870, Franklin was enumerated in Precinct 1, Atascosa County. Franklin's occupation was listed as Stock Raiser. Living with Franklin and California was an 18 year old Female, Bennett Barrow of which nothing is known.

United States Census, 1870 for Atascosa County, Texas (Pleasanton Post Office)

                                                  Real  Personal  20+ can’t

Household      Sex Age Birthplace  Occupation    Estate  Estate  read/write

A F Gates       M  24  Louisiana   Stock raiser   $80     $1000    x    x

A C Gates       F  20  Alabama     Keeping house                   x    x

Bennett Barrow  F  18  Texas       At home                         x    x

Death of California — Franklin's second marriage was cut short by the death of California on October 4, 1872 in Gates Valley at the age of 22. California was buried in Rutledge Cemetery in Poteet, Texas.

Marriage 3 — On May 7, 1873, 27 year old Alexander Franklin Gates married 20 year old Mary Ann Hethcock in Pleasanton, Texas. Mary Ann who was born on April 18, 1853 in Alpine, Clark County, Arkansas was the daughter of  John Wesley Hethcock and Leannah B Stroope.

The couple settled in Gates Valley and soon started a family. On October 6, 1874, Mary Ann gave birth to their first child, who they named Eli Fount (my great grandfather). On June 20, 1878, Mary Ann gave birth to another son, who they named Samuel Edmond. On May 16, 1880, Mary Ann gave birth to their first daughter, who they named Leanna Jane.

Sometime between 1873 and 1876, Franklin disposed of the farm land he obtained from his Uncle Joe. Tax records of 1876 show Franklin Gates was only assessed on a town lot worth $50, and livestock of 6 horses and 12 cows. In 1877 he was assessed for 223 acres and in 1878 he was assessed for 247 acres. His ranch that he named Rincon was located 3 miles southeast of Lytle.

Courtesy of Atascosa County Chronicles

In 1872 Franklin helped organize Atascosa Lodge No. 379 in Benton City, Texas. He was one of the founding members of the lodge which was chartered on June 9, 1873. The Lodge met at the second floor of the Benton City Institute. Local history states "...upstairs, by candlelight, the Atascosa lodge conducted deliberations on Saturday evening, on or before the full moon, enabling members who had to travel through the brush to more easily avoid a surprise attack by Indians."

Franklin is believed to be number 11 on this picture from the Atascosa County Chronicles blog. This lodge later moved to Lytle.  My 3nd great grandfather William Norwood Gates is number 13, and my great grandfather Eli Fount Gates is possibly number 22. 

During the 1870's, the closest "town" to the Rincon ranch was Benton City. In 1878, Benton City included a Masonic hall, a postoffice, a newspaper called the Benton City Era, and a a five-teacher school with music department called the Benton City Institute. When the railroad bypassed the city in favor of Lytle in 1881, the community began to decline. Although it is now a ghost town, during its active years it sported a gristmill, three cotton gins, three churches, a hotel, several grocery stores and a blacksmith shop.

1880 census — On June 11th, 1880, Franklin was enumerated in Precinct 2 Atascosa County. Enumerated on the next farm was Mary Ann's parents, Leannah and John W Hethcock.

United States Census, 1880 for Atascosa County, Texas

Household          Sex Age Relation Birthplace  Occupation   

Alexander F. Gates  M  34  Head     Louisiana   Farmer       

Mary Ann Gates      F  26  Wife     Arkansas    Keeping house

Eli Fountain Gates  M   5  Son      Texas                    

Saml. E. Gates      M   2  Son      Texas                    

Leana Jane Gates    F   1m Daughter Texas                    

Marthy E. Sanders   F  11  Cousin   Texas                    

Alexander F Gates' ranch was enumerated on the 1880 census Agricultural Schedule. It stated that 25 acres were improved and the 216 acres were wilderness. The farm, buildings and fences were worth $400. He owned $15 worth of farm equipment and $300 worth of livestock. $20 had been spent building or repairing fences in the previous year. The annual production for the previous year was listed as $50. The livestock was listed as 20 horses, 3 milk cows, 18 other cattle and 30 hogs. The cattle activity for the previous year included 6 calves dropped, 1 purchased, 3 sold, 2 died or strayed. His field crops included 20 acres of Indian corn which produced 30 bushels, 1 acres of sorghum which yielded 20 gallons of molasses and 1 acre of potatoes which yielded 30 bushels of potatoes. 

1880's — During the 80's the Gates family continued to grow; daughter Bittie Myrtle was born February 20, 1882, and son Ellis Franklin was born on February 6, 1886. Franklin suffered a loss when his mother Elizabeth Jane Stacy Gates passed away on November 26, 1882 at the age of 58.

In 1882, Atascosa County's first railroad station was established in Lytle. The town was named for John Lytle, a rancher and traildriver who was instrumental in establishing the Lytle Station on the International-Great Northern Railroad. The Lytle station became a shipping point for area ranchers and farmers. In 1883 a postoffice opened bearing the name of the train stop. By 1884 a small town had grown up around the train stop. With a population of 50, the town sported a general store, a church, a school, a hotel and a physician. By 1892, the population had doubled and the town now included four general stores, a cotton gin, and another church.

In 1884 Franklin was named as one of the election judges for the Benton District election held at the Benton school house.

1890's — During the 90's the Gates family continued to grow; son Joel Dawson was born March 20, 1891, and their youngest child William Mason was born March 7, 1896.

In 1894 A.F. Gates of Benton was selected to represent Atascosa County at the Farmers State Alliance of Texas convention.

On July 14, 1898 Franklin's eldest son Mr. E F Gates married Miss Lizzie A Collins in Lytle, Frio County, Texas. According to the San Antonio Daily Light newspaper, the newly weds had eloped. Just over a year later Lizzie gave birth to Franklin's first grandchild a girl named Floy.

1900 census — When the 1900 census was taken on June 5, 1900, Franklin was enumerated in Precinct 2, Atascosa County. His son Fount was living nearby with his family in a rental home. According to the census, Franklin and Mary Ann had been married 27 years. Mary Ann had given birth to 8 children, 7 of whom were still living. Also listed with the family was Frances E Gates age 13. She was listed as a daughter, but the relationship is not correct. She was their niece, daughter of Franklin's brother Edmond Jackson "Gatesy" Gates and his wife Rubelle R Thomas.

United States Census, 1900 for Atascosa County, Texas

Household         Sex Age Relation  Birth  Birthplace Occupation    

Alexander F Gates M  54  Head     Apr 1846 Louisiana  Farmer       

Mary A Gates      F  47  Wife     Apr 1853 Arkansas                

Sam E Gates       M  22  Son      Jun 1877 Texas      Farm laborer  

Leana J Gates     F  20  Daughter May 1880 Texas                   

Bittie M Gates    F  17  Daughter Feb 1883 Texas                   

Ellis F Gates     M  12  Son      Feb 1887 Texas      Farm laborer 

Joel D Gates      M   9  Son      Mar 1891 Texas                   

Mason W Gates     M   4  Son      Feb 1896 Texas                   

Francis E Gates   F  13  Daughter Oct 1886 Texas                   

                                                                    

Eli F Gates       M  25  Head     Oct 1874 Texas       School Teacher

Lizzie A Gates    F  20  Wife     Apr 1880 Texas                     

Floy M Gates      F   9m Daughter Oct 1889 Texas                     

1900's — On September 19, 1903, Franklin's father William Norwood Gates passed away at the age of 85. A.F. Gates was named temporary administrator of the estate. As part of his duties, he traveled to San Luis Potosi, Mexico to settle an Indian depredation claim for which he collected $940 which was distributed to the heirs of the estate. 

Around 1907, Franklin purchased land in Lytle. On one of the town lots, he built a fine house. Franklin and Mary Ann joined the local Baptist church.

Franklin began several commercial ventures, including a lumber yard, a general store, a drug store and a meat market. He placed advertisements in trade journals and local newspapers regarding these businesses. He sold many of these businesses and other parcels of land in Lytle.

 

   

1910 census — When the 1910 census was taken on April 21, 1910, Franklin was enumerated in Precinct 2, Atascosa County. He was living in the town of Lytle in a home he owned free and clear. With him was his wife Mary Ann who had given birth to 7 children, all still living. Only their youngest son William Mason was still living at home. Living next door was L.G. Collins, the father-in-law of his son Eli Fount. 

United States Census, 1910 for Atascosa County, Texas

Household Sex Age Relation Birthplace Occupation

A F Gates  M   64 Head    Louisiana  lumber dealer M A Gates  F   57 Wife     Arkansas        W M Gates  M   14 Son      Texas

1910's — On August 4, 1910, a "Movers Rally" was held  at the Jourdanton school house to discuss moving the county seat to the railroad town of Jourdanton. According to Norman F. Porter author of Atascosa County History through 1912, A.F. Gates of Gates' Valley "set forth the general situation, the inconvenience of travel, the expense of horse feed, the inadequate hotel facilities, the inadequacy of the present courthouse, and the cracked condition of the courthouse and jail and the rights of jurymeen to have all these things which they can't have now."

In December 1912, the town of Lytle was first incorporated, and the first election for city officers held. Franklin was selected by his friends and neighbors as the first Mayor of Lytle.

On January 5th, 1914 Franklin suffered quite a loss when his eldest daughter, Leanna Jane Crouch died In San Antonio at the age of 38. She left behind a husband, "Jake" and 4 children, Raymond, Carlton, Gladyne and Elwin.

Around 1914 Franklin began noticing signs of dementia in Mary Ann. He spoke of her in letters to his family. In a letter written in 1913, he stated "I leave today for Jourdanton Court, may be gone for several days, hate to go off and leave mama alone but can't help it. In a letter writte in August 1916 he wrote "the storm ... it blew the Luther wind mill down on the house broke the roof in a little ...I would have gone down there today, but your ma can't be left alone".

Mary Ann & Alexander Franklin Gates

By 1918, Mary Ann had declined to the point that Franklin went to court to have her institutionalized. Franklin and two physicians provided sworn statements in the case which was heard by a 6 person jury. In Franklin's deposition he made the following statement:


My name is A.F. Gates. I know Mary A Gates, she is my wife. I know she is of unsound mind. She has been in this condition continuously for 4 years or more. She is not possessed of any estate. There is no person legally liable for her support except my self. My property being my separate property. She is sixty four years of age and of American nationality. I think it better for herself and others that she be placed under restraint.     Signed by A. F. Gates on Feb. 27, 1918.

Physician R.B. Touchstone swore: I have known that mentally she has been declining for 3 or 4 years and more noticeably the past few months. There are no signs or evidence that the attack of insanity is hereditary.

On February 27, 1918, the jury found the defendant Mary A. Gates to be of unsound mind. The court declared "a lunatic" and ordered her placed in the "Lunatic Asylum for restraint and treatment."

According to the Texas Department of  State Health Services:

In 1892, the Southwest Lunatic Asylum opened on the southern edge of San Antonio. Nestled among pecan trees and situated on 640 acres, the pastoral setting, with its tree-lined main entrance on South Presa Street, offered "asylum" in the truest sense of the word. The asylum was a self-contained living environment. Crops and livestock were raised on the grounds.... A large lake provided fishing and recreational activities for the patients. All staff members lived on the grounds and had to obtain permission to leave."

Death of Franklin — Less than 3 months later, Franklin was dead. According to the death certificate, Franklin sought medical help after sustaining a fal1 on the 18th of May. On May 24th, 72 year old Frankin passed away  in the town of Lyte. He was buried in the Lytle Masonic cemetery.

The local paper published the following obituary:

Atascosa County Pioneer, A.F. Gates dies aged 72

Lytle, Texas May 31 — As a result of an accidental fall, Franklin Gates, an Atascosa Pioneer is dead at his home here. Mr. Gates was born April 3rd 1846, in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana and was the son of William N. and Elizabeth J. Gates. The family came to Atascosa County in 1854. Mr. Gates and his sister, Mrs. Lavana Cockrell, were the oldest residents of Atascosa County. Franklin Gates was "raised in the saddle" and for many years was prominent as a stockman. His ranch, on which he located in 1875 is three miles east of Lytle and was famous for its livestock. 

He sold the ranch in 1907 and moved to Lytle. He was the owner of the Townsite property and with the development sold much property for business purposes. In 1912, when Lytle was incorporated, he was elected Mayor. He was a Mason and a member of the Baptist church. 

He is survived by his widow and six children: Fount Gates of Pearsall, Sam Gates of Lytle, Mrs. Bittie Kilborn of San Antonio, Dr. Ellis Gates of Eagle Pass and Joel and Mason Gates of Lytle.

Death of Mary Ann — On December 8, 1918, Mary Ann passed away at the San Antonio Asylum at the age of 65. The death certificate listed the cause of death as Chronic Nephritis (kidney disease). 

Mary Ann was buried in the Lytle Masonic Cemetery next to her husband Franklin. 

Her obituary was published in the San Antonio Evening News:

Estate  — After the death of Franklin and Mary Ann, their son Sam was named executor of the estate. Court records show the inventory of their estate was valued at $7,175 that included livestock and real estate in San Antonio, and Jourdanton as well as the town of Lytle.

San Antonio  - Lots 11, 12, 13 & 14 Block 155 Los Angeles Heights	$   500
Lytle – Lots 1 and ½ of lot 2 in Neal addition	$   500
Lytle – Market house	$   800
Lytle – Kilburn house	$   800
Lytle – 5 acres “Home place”	$ 1,000
Lytle – Lots 1,2,3,4 &5 Block 3 Gates addition	$   150
Lytle – Lots 7,8 &9 Dial addition	$ 1,000
Lytle – Lots 4 & 5 Dial addition	$    75
Lytle – Lot 4 Block 6 Dial addition	$   400
Lytle – Lots 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 Block 2 Dial addition	$   800
Lytle – Lots 1, 2, & 3 Block 5 Dial addition	$   200
Jourdanton – Lots 1, 3, & 5 Block 161	$    75
Jourdanton – Lots 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 Block 161	$   250
McMullen Cnty – Lots 64, 65, 66, 67 & 68 (no present value)	$     0
One cow and calf	$    75
Two horses, one stallion and one Jack	$   550
Total Value of the estate	$ 7,175

Children  — Mary Ann and Franklin were the parents of 7 children:

Eli Fountain Gates	1874 – 1934
Samuel Edmond Gates	1878 – 1927
Leana Jane Gates [Crouch]	1880 – 1914
Bittie Myrtle Gates [Kilborn]	1882 – 1949
Ellis Franklin Gates	1886 – 1979
Joel Dawson Gates	1891 – 1975
William Mason Gates	1896 – 1995

Bio  — The following is a biography of Franklin that was published in A History of Texas and Texans, Volume 5, Part 2

Alexander F. Gates

It is no small distinction to have been the first in any community to be preferred for official distinction The honor of being first to hold an important public office is one that will remain in the annals of the community as long as it exists and will be a source of worthy pride to the descendants of the first citizen so honored.  In December, 1912, when the town of Lytle, in Atascosa county, was first incorporated and the first election for city officers held, the premier honor in the community was bestowed upon an old and honored resident of that locality, Mr Alexander F. Gates.  Mr. Gates is the present mayor of Lytle, and has long been identified with the stock business and other lines of commercial enterprise in this locality.

Alexander F. Gates was born April 3, 1846, in Natchitoches parish, Louisiana, a son of William N. and Elizabeth J. (Stacey) Gates. The family in 1854 came to Texas and located in Atascosa county and have now resided continuously in this county for nearly sixty years.  Mr. Gates is one of the oldest residents of the county, no other person having lived here for so many years as he has, with perhaps the exception of his sister, Mrs. Levana Cockrell, who is now seventy years of age. The family first settled where now is the thriving little town of Poteet. The locality, however, then was known as Gates Valley, called so in honor of the late William N. Gates, who died an honored pioneer resident in 1903 at the age of eighty-seven years.  Atascosa county, at the time of the Gates family settlement, was a wilderness, and for a great many years the entire locality was in the domain of the range cattle industry, and only in recent years have railroads entered its confines.

Alexander F. Gates was reared "in the saddle," and has been a stockman all his life.  Few men in the state know the business better than he, for he has not only had a wide and varied experience in every branch, but has brought to the business a splendid capability and talent as a business executive and manager.  In 1875 Mr. Gates located on his present ranch, which is situated three miles east of Lytle. In all southwest Texas the Gates ranch has a reputation as a center of the live stock industry, and some of the finest cattle produced in the entire state have come from that ranch.  Although still actively engaged in the direction of the ranch, Mr. Gates in 1907 established his home in the town of Lytle, where he has since resided. He was the owner of the town site property, and with the rapid development of this commercial center has sold much of this real estate for business purposes. It was largely due to his own active work in developing and improving the town of Lytle that the citizenship conferred upon him so distinctive an honor at the past election. He established in the town a lumber yard and a drug store and though he has since disposed of both to other parties his own enterprise has always been foremost in the improvement of this little business and social center of Texas. Mr. Gates has always been very successful in his business enterprise, and financially is in more than comfortable circumstances.

Mr. Gates is the oldest Mason in Atascosa county having been raised in the Blue Lodge at Pleasonton in 1867.  He is also affiliated with the Royal Arch degree of the order. He has had an exceptionally happy home life, and he and his wife have lived together for many years and reared a fine family of children.  Mrs. Gates before her marriage was Miss Mary A. Hethcock, a native of Arkansas. Their seven children are named as follows: Fount Gates, Sam Gates, Mrs Leana Crouch (who died January 1914), Mrs. Bittie Kilborn, Dr. Ellis Gates, Joe Gates and Mason Gates.