CATES, Joshua
Source: Scrapbook of Grace Newnum
Joshua CATES, son of Joseph and Nancy Edwards Cates was born in the state of VA April 1, 1816, departed this life March 20, 1915 being 98 Y 11M20D. He belonged to a family that were remarkable for longevity. Of his brothers and sisters that grew to maturity the age at which they departed this life is: Prior, 84; Sarah 92, David 82, Johnn 92, Stephen 90 and Joshua's as stated. For a number of years, Uncle Joshua was born the trophy of the Old Settlers associated as the oldest person present. His life has spanned a period in our National life covering 3 generations. Nearly all the inventions so common to us in domestic, commercial and mechanical life and engineering feats have been perfected during his life time. At the age of 2, his parents moved to the state of Tenn and settle din the Seqachic valley near the Cumberland mountains at which place they remained until he had attained age 10. Again his parents moved, this time emigrating to Indiana and settling in Orange Co where he grew to manhood. Before he had attained his majority, he apprenticed himself to his older brother, Prior who was running a blacksmith shop, with whom he remained until he had mastered this trade. On Aug 10, 1836 he was united in marriage to Martha M. Phillips. To this union 10 children: 7 boys, 3 girls: Prior, Francis M, Nancy E,Mary E, Charles F, Joseph, Alfred, Mattie, Henry and Leroy Five of these have preceded him to the great beyond, namely, Francis M, Charles, Joseph, Martha and Leroy. Soon after his marriage he started in the blacksmithing business in the town of Chambersburg, orange Co, Ind and followed this occupation until 1853, at which time he sold his shop and what property he had accumulated and in April of the same year came to Fountain Co and purchased a piece of land 1 miles SE of Cartes. The June following, he moved his family to it and after years of toil and privation, incident to pioneer, life, succeeded in establishing him a commodious house on his farm. On Sept 8, 1888 the companion of his youth was him by death. In the year following he was again married to Mrs. Nancy Hibbs with whom he lived until April 1903 when she too was him by the hand in death. Early in life Uncle Joshua united with the Methodist Church and remained a consistent member of this body until he moved to Ft. Co. The E. Liberty Christian Church being the nearest church to his home he under the ministry of Rev. James Connor Jr. united with this body and became a contestant member and an ardent supporter of this church and faith. He was a lover of sacred music, having learned the rudiments of music from the old Mo Harmony under the patent note system. he was probably one of the earliest music readers in our country. He was jovial in disposition, fully enjoying the social life of both old and young. He was a lover of children and all of the 2nd and 3rd generations of children will treasure and happy remembrance of his associations with them ; others entered into their joys and their pleasures as few old people can. He retained his full mental powers to the very last conversation fluently with friends and relatives on all subjects of public interests, especially on religious subjects The last utterance from his lips was: "Thank the Lord salvation is free." He leaves to mourn his departure, 5 children: Prior, Alfred, Mrs. Enoch Robbins, Mrs. Nancy Redenbaugh all of Cates and Henry of Pontiac, Ill 30 grandchildren, 49 greats, six great great grandchildren and a multitude of friends. "Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit." The kind acts and beautiful life of our brother in Christ will be on and on bearing fruit to the glory of our God.
Source: Kingman Star March 26, 1915
Fountain county lost what had been termed for years her oldest citizen when the earthly career of UNCLE JOSHUA CATES. came to an end on last Saturday.
The following obituary described his historic life better than we can, therefore we submit it instead of comments by the editor.
JOSHUA CATES, son of Joseph and Nancy Edwards Cates, was born in the State of Virginia April 1, 1816. Departed this life March 20, 1915 Being 98 years, 11 months and 20 days old. He belonged to a family that was remarkable for the longevity of its members. Of his brothers and sisters that grew to maturity the age at which they departed this life is as follows: Prior 84, Sarah 92, David 82, John 82, Stephen 90 and Joshua as stated above.
For a number of years Uncle Joshua has born away the trophy at the Old Settlers association as being the oldest person present. His life has spanned a period in our National life covering three generations. Nearly all the inventions so common to us in domestic, commercial and mechanical life and engineering feats have been perfected during his life time.
At the age of two years his parents moved to the State of Tennessee and settled in the Sequachie valley near the Cumberland mountains, at which place they remained until he had attained the age of ten. Again his parents moved, this time emigrating to the State of Indiana, and settled in Orange county where he grew to manhood. Before he had attained his majority, he apprenticed himself to his older brother, Prior, who was running a blacksmith shop, with whom he remained until he had mastered this trade.
On August the 10th, 1837 he was united in marriage to Martha M. Phillips. To this union were born 10 children, seven boys and three girls; namely, Prior, Francis M., Nancy E., Mary E., Charles F., Joseph, Alfred, Mattie, Henry and Leroy. Five of these have preceded him to the great beyond, namely, Francis M., Charles, Joseph, Martha and Leroy.
Soon after his marriage he started in the blacksmithing business in the town of Chambersburg, Orange Co., Ind. and followed this occupation until 1853, at which time he sold his shop and what property he had accumulated and in April of the same year came to Fountain county, and purchased a piece of land one mile southeast of Cates. The June following, he moved his family to it and after years of toil and privation incident to pioneer life, succeeded in establishing him a commodious house on his farm.
On September 8, 1888, the companion of his youth was taken from him by death. In the year following he was again married to Mrs. Nancy Hibbs with whom he lived until April 1908 when she too was taken from him by the hand of death.
Early in life Uncle Joshua united with the Methodist church and remained a consistant member of this body until he moved to Fountain Co. The East Liberty Christian church being the nearest church to his home, he under the ministry of Rev. James Connor Jr. united with this body and became a consistant member and an ardent supporter of this church and faith.
He was a lover of sacred music having learned the rudiments of music from the old Missouri Harmony under the patent note system. He was probably one of the earliest music readers in our country. He was jovial in disposition, fully enjoying the social life of both old and young.
He was a lover of children and all of the second and third generation of children will treasure the happy rememberance of his associations with them: for he entered into their joys and their pleasures as few old people can.
He retained his full mental powers to the very last conversing fluently with friends and relatives on all subjects of public interests, especially on religious subjects. The last utterance from his lips was this: “Thank the Lord, salvation is free.”
He leaves to mourn his departure, five children, Prior, Alfred, Mrs. Enoch Robbins, Mrs. Nancy Redenbaugh, all of Cates and Henry of Pontiac, Ill, thirty grandchildren, 49 great grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and a multitude of friends.
“Except a grain of wheat falls into the ground and die, it abideth alone, But if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit.” The kind acts and beautiful life of our brother in Christ will live on and on bearing fruit to the glory of our God. -s
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File Created: 2006-Oct-29