Frederick Bates

Frederick Bates

Frederick Bates (born June 23, 1777 in Belmont , Virginia , † August 4, 1825 in Chesterfield , Missouri ) was an American politician and from 1824 to 1825 the 2nd  governor of Missouri.

Life

Early years and political advancement

Frederick Bates attended local schools in his homeland. He later studied law. He was also interested in classical music and French literature. His political career began in his native Virginia. He became a postmaster in Goochland County and assistant clerk at the district court there. He then became a judge in the Michigan Territory . Bates was also involved in exposing the Aaron Burr conspiracy .

Rise in Missouri

After moving to St. Louis in what was then Louisiana Territory , Bates was Secretary of State in the area between 1816 and 1813. He also held various offices in the land administration of this territory. Between 1807 and 1812, he served as Secretary of State on several occasions as Territorial Governor of the Louisiana Territory. He also held this office in 1812, when the name was changed to Missouri Territory . Therefore, he is listed in the statistics as both the last governor of the Louisiana Territory and the first governor of the Missouri Territory. He was then State Secretary in the new territory until 1820. During this time he acquired a four square kilometer property, which he named Thornhill and on which he was also buried.

Missouri governor

On August 2, 1824, Bates was elected the second governor of the state of Missouri, which was created in 1820. He took up this office on November 15, 1824. During his tenure, a road from St. Louis to Santa Fe , New Mexico was planned. The land originally reserved for the Indians became state property. Bates died on August 4, 1825, probably of pneumonia. The governor had four children with his wife, Nancy Opie Ball. Frederick Bates was the brother of Edward Bates , who was US Attorney General under President Abraham Lincoln from 1861 to 1864 . His other brother, James , represented the Arkansas Territory as a delegate to the House of Representatives .

literature

• Robert Sobel, John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2. Meckler Books, Westport 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Frederick Bates in the National Governors Association (English)
• Frederick Bates in the database of Find a Grave (English)