Timothy Bates was born December 7, 1821, and died November 24, 1915, aged 93 years, 11 months and 17 days. He was buried in the Bates Hill cemetery, Rev. B.S. Bennett of Jerusalem, Ohio, being the officiating minister. For twenty-four years he had been an invalid and his death was brought about by a stroke of paralysis which occurred only three days before his death.

He was one of a family of fourteen children. His father, Timothy Bates, was the first settler in the neighborhood. Of the fourteen children, Timothy was the last to leave this earth. At the age of 22, he married Sarah Jane Meighen, who also came from a family of fourteen children. Together, they lived happily for sixty four years, when his wife departed from this life, leaving him the sole survivor of his generation, as she had been of hers.

He spent most of his boyhood days in his father's mill, where people came from all the country around to have their "grindin'" done. Naturally he learned the trade, and after his father's death, he became the proprietor of the mill. In those days the entire country was heavily wooded, in fact it was a vast wilderness. The mill was one of those old-fashioned type that was operated by a water-wheel. When the country was well wooded, there was an abundant supply of water for water-power. The equipment of the mill consisted of burros for grinding wheat, corn and buckwheat, and a saw for converting the logs of the forest into lumber. The mill was located near the site of his late home. The road leading to it ran through the swamps of the forest and were corduroy in order to be passible. He ran this mill until the woods were cleared out and water for power became scarce.

The land having been cleared, and having sold his mill, he began to till the soil and soon became one of the most successful farmers of the neighborhood. He continued as a farmer until his death. He was one of the pioneers of his neighborhood and helped to bring about those conditions whereby the people of the neighborhood are able to live in comfort. He was a great factor in the development of the country and the generation of today owe him a debt which can never be paid. Many times when a destitute man came to his mill, did he furnish them with flour and meal. The great rule of action that predominated his life was to deal fairly, squarely and honestly with his fellow men. Having been guided by this great principle, we cannot help but wonder if he was not especially blest in being allowed to live to a ripe old age. For twenty-four years he had been a member of the Church of Christ and was ever ready to do his duty when the call came.

Such is the story of the last of his generation. And such a story is surely worthy of our respect and admiration. Through combats with toil and hardship with the wilds, with the great oncoming of modern civilization; he rose to the place where he was looked upon by all as a prominent leader in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his country. A devout Christian, and an honest man, his influence for good went out over the land, although he lived and died within a half mile of his birthplace. And as long as his name shall be remembered by men, this same influence shall continue in its good work.

Timothy and Sarah had 9 children, 6 boys and 3 daughters: Lavina, Eli, Wyatt, Samuel, Louise, Susan, John Henry, Hugo & Moses. Of these children only three sons survive: Wyatt, Samuel and Moses. There are also quite a number of grandchildren and a greater number of great grandchildren.