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Martin Stephen Bates

martin stephen bates

Name: Martin Stephen Bates
Born: March 2, 1843
 Cherokee Co. GA
Married: 1866 GA,
Sarah Elizabeth Brooks
Children: 8 sons, 4 daughters
Died: 10/9/1917
Father: John Royal Bates
Mother: Mary Ann (Dobbs)
 

OCCUPATION
Religion: Primitive Baptist
Occupation: Farmer, Preacher
Military: Co. G, 23rd GA Inf. CSA
School: Cherokee Co., GA
Organizations: None
Politics: Democrat
 
 
SPOUSE
Name: Sara Elizabeth “Lizzie” Brooks
Born: 6/26/1850
Died: 6/23/1937
Mother: UK
Father: UK
OTHER SPOUSES
None
 

CHILDREN
1.  Thomas R. Bates, b. ca. 1866
2.  Sarah D. Bates, b. 1/ 1870
3.  William W. Bates, b. ca. 1871
4.  Joseph T. Bates, b. 8/ 1873
5.  George M. Bates, b. Mar1874
6.  John C. Bates, b. ca. 1875
7.  Mary A. Bates, b. ca. 1877
8.  Martha Bates, b. 1880
9.  Benjamin Bates, b. 5/1890
10. Fannie Bates, b. 5/1891
11. Charles “Dog”Bates, b2/1897
 
 

dr. bates drawing

(Painting of Dr. Stephen Bates by Johnce Parrish)

Martin Stephen Bates was a farmer, who came to Arkansas to “keep off the beaten path” and with a desire to use his own improved methods of farming.

He was born in Cherokee County, GA, March 2, 1843, the first son, and one of fourteen children, born to J.R. and Mary Ann (Dobbs) Bates.  He spent his youth in the schools of Cherokee Co., GA, but in 1861, at the age of 18, he joined the Confederate Army, as a member of Company “G”, 23rd Georgia Infantry, with which he served for four years.  He was never wounded or taken prisoner.  He fought at: the Siege of Yorkton, Seven Pines, Williamsburg, and many others.   

In 1870, he left Georgia and came to Arkansas with his parents, first going to Scott County, were he lived for two years, before moving to Montgomery County.  He settled on the old Willard place on Caddo road.    Here he owned a good farm and excellent buildings, fences, and an orchard.  
 
In 1874 he joined the Primitive Baptist Church, was ordained as one of its elders in 1882, and began preaching the gospel.  
 
He was married to Elizabeth Brooks in 1866, in Georgia, and the couple had eight sons and four daughters; however, by 1890 only seven sons and one daughter were still living.
 
Elizabeth (Brooks) Bates was also a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.  Martin Stephen Bates was a “staunch” Democrat in his politics.
 
The Bates family are of Scotch and English descent.












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