Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-01-15
DEATH OF DIR. Bates
TIE VENERABLE PHYSICIAN PASSED AWAY
YESTERDAY MORNING.
BE Praeiiced bis Profession for Piiy-fvs Years
Hafa C.ntury Of That rns Being Spent
in Wheeling.

DR.. w. ]. Bates, Sr.. died at his resi-
dence on Twelfth street, yesterday
morning about six o'clock, after an ILL.,
ness Of but few days,
The fact OF his sickness and Of his
serious condition became generally
known on Friday, and while ais ad-
vanced age made a recovery from
any serious attack improbable, there
was still very general hope that the
Doctor would improve and be spared for
further usefulness in his profession.
Under these circumstances the gen.
eral public, aside from few possessed
OF exceptionally correct information,
received toe sad news that life was ex-
tibct with 40 incOnsiderable amount OF
surprise, and on every hand were TO be
heard expressions of deep regret. This
manifestation OF sorrow was
but natural, for no citizen
Of Wheeling was more widely
known or more generally esteemed than
was DR.. Bates. For fifty years he had
practced his profession without inter-
ruptlon, aud his ability as physician,
his cOurtly manner, his kindness OF
heart and his general excellent quail
ties had won him warm friends aud ad-
mirers In every walk Of life throughout
the city, and he will long be missed not
only by those who for many years had
looked to him for medical advice, but
by those who know him best as warm
friend, a genial and cultivated gentle
man and as the best type Of citizenship.
William ]. Bates was born in York
county, Virginia, In 1912. His father
and grandfather before him had been
physicians, aud the subject Of this
sketch early inclined TO that profession.
His early education was achieved In the
locality ia which his fOther resided, and
later be entered a college at Burling-
ton, n. ]. His medical studies were
later pursued az the University OF
Pennsylvania, and after gradual
ing be went abroad. pursuing
his studies in London and the
Continental centres Of learning. In
1897 he returned 70 America and being
united i'm marriage 10 Miss Kicks, OF
Southampton county, Va, he came
west and located at Mt. Pleasant, o.
He practiced medicine in that locality
for about FIVE years aud then, In 1872,
removed 10 this city, where he has since
resided. Reared as a Friend, Dr.
Bates embraced the Methodist faith
while In England, and soon after his
removal 70 Wheeling he became mem
Der OF the Fonrth Street NJ. &. church,
and was a consistent communicate up
to the time Of his cath.
DR.. Bates was all his life close stu
dent and hard and methodical worker
In his profession. This was exempihed,
not only by his large and successful
practice, but by his contributions TO
medical literature. As a member OF the
West Virginia Medical Society and the
American Medical Society, he wrote
frequent, thoughtful and valuable papers
upon matters pertaining TO the theory
and practice OF medicine, and always
took a deep interest and active part In
those aud kindred organizations. be
was the first corresponding secretary
OF the OHIO county society. He was
one of those who organized the City
Dispensary, ia November, 1S45, and IN
duced Council TO appropriate money for
its support. This Dlspensary existed
for four years. Dr. Bates remained in
active practice until within about
week OF his deaf his last professional
call having been made last Wednesday
morning.
DIR. Bates, while taking a deep inter
est In all public affairs, never held any
other public Office than that Of School
Commissioner, being one Of the first
three School Commissioners Wheeling
sver bad under the free school system,
The late DR.. Hidreth having been
member OF the same Board.
Mrs. Bates survives the subject OF
This sketch, as do Eve children, Dr.. w.
]. Bates, Jr., Mrs. Z. B. Turner, widow
OF the late DR.. Turner, Mrs R G. Barr,
Mrs. w. V. Butler and Miss Sadie
Bates.
The members OF the medical profess
sion OF the city are called TO meet at the
Public Library at half past three this
afternoon 70 take action regarding the
death Of DR.. Bates. The funeral will
probably he under the charge Of the
Masonic fraternity, the deceased hav-
ing been member OF Bates Lodge and
Of Wheeling Commandery No. /, K 7.
The obseQuies will take place Monday
afternoon.