THOMAS L. BATES
From ARKANSAS AND ITS PEOPLE - A HISTORY, 1541-1930.  Published 1930 by
American Historical Society, Inc.
donated by:  Jerry Brooks <jbtexan@brmemc.net>
"THOMAS L. BATES, principal of the Washington School at Fayetteville, Arkansas, was one of the native sons of
Washington County, and his life record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without
honor save in his own country, for in this section of the State, in which his life was passed, Mr. Bates won a most
creditable and enviable position as a prominent representative of the educational system of Arkansas.  He was
born May 4, 1869, and passed away April 10, 1927, his parents being Henderson and Eleanor (Crozier-Pyatt)
Bates.  The former was a son of James Bates, a native of Virginia, who removed to Tennessee and there spent
his remaining days, devoting his life to the occupation of farming. The latter was a daughter of John B. Crozier,
whose birth occurred in Tennessee, and who traveled to Arkansas with wagon and team.   He was a justice of
the peace for a number of years and he devoted much of his time to the profession of teaching.

 Henderson Bates was born in Tennessee, May 4, 1804, and when he decided to become a resident of this State,
he walked the entire distance from Memphis, Tennessee, to Batesville, in 1827.  He bought a horse from his
brother in Batesville and rode horseback to the Canehill country, where he spent his remaining days.  He was twice
married.   His first wife was Nancy Miller, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom two are living:
J.Y. Bates, a merchant of Texas, who also served as district clerk in that State; and W.F. Bates, who is a farmer
in Canehill.  After loving his first wife Henderson Bates married Mrs. Eleanor (Crozier) Pyatt, born in Tennessee,
November 30, 1831, and the widow of Jacob Pyatt, who was killed in the Confederate Army during the Civil war.
 By her first marriage she has three children, all now deceased. To the second marriage she has three children, all
now deceased.  To the second marriage there were born three children, but one of whom is now living, Mrs.
Nannie Matteson, a widow, residing in Texas.  Their father departed this life July 30, 1888, while the mother died
in 1896.  They were members of the Presbyterian church, and their sterling merits of character won for them the
confidence and good will of all who know them.

 Thomas L. Bates was educated at Canehill College and at the Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio.  He
afterwards went to Oklahoma, where he engaged in teaching for five years and was principal of a preparatory
school at Chelsea conducted under the auspices of the Presbyterian church.  Removing to Fayetteville, he was
principal of the Leverette school for a period of ten years and later became principal of the Washington school
in which position he continued for eleven years until his death in 1927.  He was engaged in educational work
altogether for twenty-six years and twenty-one years of this period was passed in Fayetteville.  He owned a
farm of twenty acres near the University and had four and a half acres planted to fruit, to which he gave his
personal supervision.  He likewise had quite a large poultry farm which was a source of gratifying income to him.
 In 1896 Mr. Bates was united in marriage to Frances Kelleam, who was born at Charleston, Arkansas, a
daughter of Dr. Kelleam, for many years a practicing physician and surgeon of this State and a veteran of the
Confederate forces in the Civil War.  Mr. and Mrs. Bates became the parents of three children, one one of
whom is living, Margaret, now residing in Norman, Oklahoma, where her husband, J.C. Colbert, is a member
of the Oklahoma University faculty.  They are the parents of one child, Thomas Alfred.

 Mr. and Mrs. Bates were active members of the Presbyterian church, and fraternally, Mr. Bates was affiliated
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his political allegiance was given to the Democratic party.
 He never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty, but concentrated his efforts and attention upon
his professional duties and was classed with the eminent educators of the Southwest.  He was a man of
pronounced ability, by reason of the fact that he continually studied educational conditions and needs and
possessed the initiative that resulted in forming progressive methods and ideas in relation to the school work.
His labors were far-reaching and resultant and there is no one to whom the success and improvement of the
Fayetteville schools is so largely due as to Thomas L. Bates.  Mrs. Bates, herself an educator of experience,
has taught in the public schools of Fayetteville for a number of years."
 
1910 CENSUS - Washington County, AR, Prairie Township, District 140
175/175
Thomas L. Bates, 38, AR TN AR, Teacher in Public School, owns home
Fannie A., 38, AR AR AR, Teacher in Public School, 3 kids/2 living
Margarette, 9, AR AR AR
 
1920 CENSUS - Washington County, AR, Prairie Township, District 145
334/344
Tom L. Bates, 50, AR TN AR, farmer, Poultry farm, owns home free/clear
Fannie, 48, AR AR AR
Margett, 19, AR AR AR

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