CATES, William Henry - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

The town and vicinity of Kingman was severely shocked early Monday morning when the news of the death of William H. Cates became known.  Although he had been in poor health for the past three or four years, his condition had not become alarming until Sunday evening when an attack of an ailment of long standing came upon him.  The following obituary has been handed in.

WILLIAM HENRY CATES,  oldest of two children of David and Jane Lindley Cates, was born near Cates, Ind., Aug. 25, 1851;  died in Kingman, Ind., Dec. 13, 1913  at 4:30 A.M. aged 63 years, 3 months and 19 days.  His mother died when he was only 8 years of age; also a sister died quite young.  He grew to manhood on the farm under the care and oversight of his father and without the special tender care of a loving mother.   He received his education in the common schools of the county, except a special business  which he took in the Normal school at Valparaiso. At the age if 28, on Sept. 17, 1879, he was married to Harriet Emily Lindley, 2nd daughter of Nathan and Susanna Harvey Lindley.   Four children, all girls, was given to this union, all of whom preceded the father into the life beyond. For several years he engaged in the grain and implement business in Cates and afterward in Cayuga.  He always maintained and received a reputation for scrupulous honesty and strict justice.  He was converted in the Fall of 903 in a meeting held by Lewis I. Lindley in the Friends church in Kingman and gave good evidence of receiving clear assurance of his acceptance of God.  He, in a general way, was always free to use the opportunity, whenever granted,  in publicly acknowledging in testimony what the Lord had done for him. He had been a constant attendant in a three week’s revival at the Friends church in Kingman by the pastor, Rev. Smith, and gave evidence of unusual interest by promptness in testimony and prayer.   On Sabbath morning he was busy making preparations for the morning service in doing his chores and sweeping the snow from the walks, when the fatal stroke came, a clot of blood from a fissure in a blood vessel having formed at the base of the brain immediately producing  Appoplexy and partial Paralysis which left in an unconscious condition until the end came. And while his dear wife and many friends were not permitted to hear from his own lips how it was with him at the River crossing, yet the life he lived and the testimonies often given by him leaves to his faithful companion and friends very satisfactory assurance of his safe arrival in the Home of the Redeemed, which lies out beyond the border line of the earth. Funeral services were conducted at the Friends Church in Kingman Wednesday at 10 o’clock by Rev. Noah Dixon assisted by Rev. Arla Smith, burial being made in the Rush Creek cemetery. -s