Charles P. Bates Biography

	This biography appears on pages 440, 441 in "History of Minnehaha 
	County, South Dakota" by Dana R. Bailey and was scanned, OCRed 
	and edited by Joy Fisher, http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031
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BATES, CHARLES P., is a native of New York, and was born December 4, 
1860, and although his father was a minister of the gospel Charles was 
reared on a farm.  He completed his education at the Genesee Wesleyan 
seminary, and commenced the study of law at Rochester, N. Y.  From the 
time he was eighteen years of age until he was twenty-three he taught 
school and studied law in connection with his course at the seminary.  
In 1883 went to Ipswich, S. D and engaged in the hardware business for 
nearly two years.  In March, 1885, came to Sioux Falls, and entered the 
law office of H. H. Keith.  In January, 1887, was admitted to the bar, 
but continued in the employment of Mr. Keith until January, 1889, at 
which time they formed a copartnership under the firm name of Keith & 
Bates. This copartnership existed until January 1, 1893.  He then 
engage in the practice of law by himself until January, 1898, when lie 
formed a copartnership with P. J. Rogde, under the firm name of Bates & 
Rogde.  In May, 1894, he was appointed city attorney of the citv of 
Sioux Falls, was reappointed in 1895, and held the office until May 
1896.  During the campaign of 1894 he was chairman of the Republican 
county committee of Minnehaha county, and conducted the campaign with 
great credit and ability.  After the  nomination of McKinley for 
president in 1896, he joined the silver Republicans, and received the 
nomination for state's attorney upon the Fusion ticket and, with all 
the rest of the candidates on that ticket, was elected. In 1898 he was 
re-elected, and was chairman of the executive committee of the Fusion 
party, and had the management of the campaign in the county during that 
year.  Mr. Bates is a good lawyer, is careful in the preparation of his 
cases for trial, and is a good trial lawyer.  In the performance of his 
duties as state's attorney he has been faithful, energetic and 
successful.  A few years ago he married Miss Grace Chester, an 
estimable young lady, and they are now bringing up two bright boys, 
possibly to enlarge the circle of the legal profession, but probably 
for the ministry.