Lincoln County, NC

William Gates, 1815 - 1907

From left, seated: William M. Gates, Elizabeth Nancy Norman Gates, and daughters Mary Gates who married Benjamin Putnam and Callie Gates who married Jacob Rhyne.

Standing: Wilson M. Gates, John L. Gates, and William C. Gates

Newspaper Article, May 21 1907. Lincoln County News.

A REMARKABLE MAN PASSES AWAY

Mr. William Gates Sr. dies at the ripe old of 92. Mr. William Gates died Saturday at his home near Pisgah Church from where he was buried in the grave yard nearby Sunday afternoon at two oclock. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. I.O. Gray of the Wesleyan Methodist church in Long Shoals assisted by Rev, R.Z. Johnston, of Lincolton, and Rev. C.R. Ross of the Lincolton circuit.

A detail of Confederate Veterans acted as pall bearers and bore the body from the residence of the deceased to the church and grave where it sleeps almost within a stones throw of his home.

A large concourse of people attended the funeral, many going out from Lincoln and the church was totally inadequate to accommodate the crowd .

In the beginning of his remarks, Mr. Gray read the following facts about the deceased; William Gates born in Lincoln county in 1815, died the 18th day of May, 1907 his age 92 years. Elizebeth Gates (Norman) the surviving widow was 89 on the 8th day of April, 1907.

This venerable couple were married September 29th 1839. Living Children: Marcus Wilson Gates, born in 1840; John L. Gates, and William C Gates, Mary E. Putnam, and Callie Rhyne; Dead: Nancy A. Cauble, and P. Ellen Thornberg, one child died in infancy. Living Descendants: 26 Grandchildren, 66 Great grandchildren and 2 Great great grandchildren. Dead: 5 Grandchildren, 22 Great grandchildren, making the total 129 descendants.

At the conclusion of the burial services, the Daughters of the Confederacy banked the grave with flowers.

The editor of the news was privileged to attend the burial of this venerable veteran of the Civil War and Soldier of the Cross. It was an unusual sight, pathetic and interesting, to see around his grave the bereaved widow, their five living children, and the descendants of five generations.

The Gates Family

William Gates and Elizebeth were married September 29th 1839 and together they have traveled the pathway of life sixty seven years. Mrs. Gates will be 92 years of age the 8th day of next April. Mr. Gates served in company A, 23rd Regiment.

They have two sons that were also confederate soldiers, Wilson Gates of company I, 37th Regiment, and John L. Gates of company C, 71st.

Nancy, a daughter of this venerable couple, first married William White, a member of company K, the Southern Stars.

William White was wounded at the battle of Bethel, the first blood shed in the Civil War. On his return home, Mrs. Elizebeth Gates mended the hole made in the coat sleeve where the ball pierced his arm. White re-entered the service and died in prison of small pox. His widow became the wife of Harrison Cauble.
(Source) Lincoln County Times 1907.