LEANDER A. GATES, one of the early settlers of Central Illinois, residing on section 32, Auburn Township, was born in this county, October 8, 1846, of German descent. His grandfather Michael Gates, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., January 30, 1776. At the age of three years he was taken by his parents to Salisbury, N.C., where he married Catherine Groves and then removed to Kentucky. In 1830 he came with his family to Sangamon County, Ill., where he entered land and followed farming. He was a fine mechanic but also made a success as an agriculturist. His death occurred in 1848, and his wife died the following year.
Their son, Andrew, father of our subject, was born in Muhlenberg County, Ky., January 17, 1807, and with his father learned the mechanic's trade. He came in an ox-cart to this county in 1831, and for a time worked as a farm hand, after which he rented land and later entered a large tract on section 32, Auburn Township, devoting himself to grain and stock-raising. That was during the early days of the history of Central Illinois, when they went to market at St. Louis and Alton and bore many other such hardships; but Mr. Gates prospered and became the owner of seven hundred acres of fine land, together with some town property in Virden. He retired to private life in 1881, and died at the home of his daughter in March, 1881. He supported Democratic principles, was a member of the German Baptist Church and lived a consistent Christian life. His wife Lucinda (Wood) Gates, was born in Madison County, Ill., and is a daughter of William Wood who was born in Knox County, Tenn., in 1794, and in the early part of this century settled in Madison County, where in 1814 he married Polly Cox. Four years later they came to this county and in Auburn Township he followed farming for many years. He served as scout during the Black Hawk War and is numbered among the honored pioneer settlers of the community. His last years were spent in Texas. After his death his wife returned to Illinois and here died. Mrs. Andrew Gates, mother of our subject, makes her home in Virden with her daughter Mrs. Baldwin. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Many incidents of interest concerning pioneer life she can relate as its trials and difficulties were not unknown to her.
Our subject is one of a family of twelve children six of whom grew to maturity: Mrs. Catherine A. Organ, of Virden; Andrew J., who died on the homestead farm in November, 1876; Mary E., Mrs. Baldwin, of Virden; Leander Alvin; Lucinda E., wife of A. J. Leutz of Virden, and Sarah F., who became the wife of E. B. Stonecipher and died in Auburn Township in 1879.
Our subject supplemented his common-school education by a year's course of study in the Hedding Seminary, of Abingdon, Ill., and one year spent in the High School of Virden. Teaching was then the means which he employed to secure a livelihood. For five years he followed that profession in Sangamon County, and in the summer followed farming, but he saw that he must choose either one or the other and devote himself entirely to that work. He became possessed of forty acres of the old homestead and devoted his entire energies to agricultural pursuits. So well did he prosper that at the time of his marriage he owned two hundred and forty acres of land. On the 20th of September, 1876, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Emma A. Brown, daughter of Archibald and Mary (Hardin) Brown, natives of Virginia, who removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, in an early day. By their deaths she was left an orphan at the age of three years and adopted by David C. and Rebecca (Fletcher) Brown. Mr. Brown a native of Kentucky, a blacksmith by trade, came to Sangamon County where he married and then removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, where he lived until 1866. Returning to Illinois he located in Virden where he died September 28, 1872. His wife a native of Todd County, Ky., was brought by her father John Fletcher, to this county in 1830. She survived her husband some years and was called home in 1888.
Mrs. Gates was born in Fairfield, Iowa, June 16, 1856, and with her foster parents came to Virden, Ill., in 1866. She was educated in the high school of that place, is a lady of superior mental ability, culture and refinement, whose influence is shown in her children. She graces the home over which she presides, and her love of the beautiful is displayed in its many adornments. The family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Gates and four children - Nellie L., Clara Bessie, Daisy B. and Marshall E.
After his marriage Mr. Gates and his bride took a trip to the Centennial at Philadelphia, Niagara Falls and many of the Eastern cities, visiting historical scenes and places of interest. On his return he gave himself up entirely to farming and in 1877 purchased his present home upon which he has made many improvements placing the entire acreage under cultivation. The grounds are nicely arranged, adorned with beautiful groves, among the many improvements is a fine orchard, and Sugar Creek furnishes an abundant supply of water. The well tilled fields comprising four hundred acres of land yield to him a good income and his possessions also include some town property in Virden. He makes a specialty of stock raising, has on hand some two hundred head of Poland-China hogs, feeds several car loads of Shorthorn cattle annually and raises about forty head of horses. His life has been characterized by industry, punctuality and honesty, which traits always insure success and he has prospered abundantly. In the office of Clerk of the School Board he has served his fellow townsmen for nine years. He is Vice-President of West Grove Lodge, F.M.B.A., and a Democrat in politics. Mrs. Gates holds membership in the Presbyterian Church.