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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 563]

    R. S. GATES has been identified with the history of Cherokee County
    since 1869.  He was born in Steuben County, New York, June 21, 1852,
    and is a son of D. J. GATES, one of the old settlers of Sheridan
    Township, who took a Government homestead.  When R. S. was a lad of
    nine years his father removed to Michigan, and the family lived there
    three years, during which time D. J. GATES was in the army.  They then
    removed to Dodge County, Minnesota, and resided there until 1869, when
    they came to Cherokee County.  R. S. was then eighteen years of age.
    The country was new and wild, and the task of improving a farm was
    not a light one.  Our subject remained with his father for some time,
    and gave him much needed assistance.  When his father was able to
    spare him he engaged in breaking prairie for several seasons.  He
    bought and sold two or three different tracts of land, and in 1882
    located on his present farm, which he has improved in good style.  A
    fine two-story residence was erected in 1887, and buildings and feed
    lots and yards indicate the thrift and wise management of the owner.
    At the age of twenty-seven years Mr. GATES was married to Miss FLORA
    KENYON, a daughter of WILLIAM KENYON, of Cherokee County.  Two child-
    ren were born of this union: HERBERT and FLORA.  Mrs. FLORA GATES died
    January 15, 1883.  Mr. GATES was married a second time, in December,
    1886, to Miss MARY HINKELDEY, a native of Germany.  By this marriage
    two children have been born: MABEL and an infant son.  Mr. GATES is a
    member of the Baptist Church, and gives a liberal support to all
    enterprises tending to advance the educational and religious interests
    of the community.  He adheres to the principles of the Republican
    party.  He is honorable in all his dealings, and is one of the leading
    farmers of the township.

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