George Bates
George Bates (1847-1901) of Bates and Dalton, Godiva Engineering Co and Payne and Bates
1847 Born at Foleshill
1866 October 15th. Married Elizabeth Ann Berry at Foleshill
1871 Living at Lockers Lane, Foleshill: George Bates (age 24 born Coventry), Elastic Weaver. With his wife Elizabeth Bates (age 25 born Stamford, Lincs.) and their son Henry Bates (age 2 born Foleshill).[1]
1881 Living at 30 Canterbury Road, Coventry: George Bates (age 34 born Foleshill), an Elastic Web Manufacturer. With his wife Elizabeth A. Bates(age 34 born Nuneaton) and their children Henry Bates (age 12 born Foleshill); George Bates (age 9 born Foleshill); Walter Bates (age 8 born Foleshill); Elizabeth A. Bates (age 6 born Foleshill); and Lilley H. Bates (age 1 born Coventry. One servant.[2]
1891 Living at Springfield Terrace, Harnhall Lane, Coventry: George Bates (age 43 born Foleshill), an Elastic Web Manufacturer and Employer. With his wife Lizzie Bates (age 42 born Lincolnshire) and their children George Bates (age 20 born Foleshill), an Elastic Web Weaver; Walter Bates (age 18 born Foleshill), an Elastic Web Weaver; Lizzie Bates (age 16 born Foleshill); Hetty Bates (age 11 born Coventry); and Ada Bates (age 3 born Coventry).[3]
Hotel owner in London
Partner in Bates and Dalton
1890 Founder of Godiva Engineering Co with Walter Payne
1900 Involved in a motor accident in a car driven by his son Henry Bates
1901 Obituary. 'As reported in our last edition on Thursday. Mr. Geo. Bates, of Foleshill, was taken suddenly ill at Lloyds' Bank in the afternoon, and was removed to the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. It was at once seen that medical skill was of no avail, and he died shortly after midnight, without having recovered consciousness. The deceased had not been in the best of health recently. Twelve months ago he was thrown out of a motor car, the effects of which he invariably felt. Mr. Bates, who had resided at Widdrington House, St. Paul's Road, had been connected with Foleshill nearly all his life. For many years he was with Messrs. Randle and Co., Lockhurst Lane, after which he joined Mr. W. E. Dalton in partnership at South Street, Coventry, in the elastic web trade. He subsequently resided in London for some three years as a licensed victualler, but eventually came back to Foleshill, where he had an interest in the firm of Messrs. Payne and Bates, engineers. In athletic circles he was very well known, being a supporter of many cricket and football clubs. He took a great interest in the Foleshill Nursing Association, and as Chairman of the Lillywhite Cricket Match Committee did a good deal to keep that institution going His death came as a great surprise to the neighbourhood, as the deceased gentleman was conversing with several persons at Great Heath on Thursday morning. He leaves a widow and five children.'[4]
1901 Funeral. 'The funeral of Mr. George Bates, of Foleshill, who was seized with sudden illness in Coventry last. Thursday and died at the Hospital on Friday morning, took place on Monday at St. Paul's Cemetery, Foleshill, amid many signs of sorrow and sympathy. The cortege left Widdrington House, after a short service at the deceased's residence, in a downpour of rain. Those following the body to the graveside included Messrs. Harry and Walter Bates (sons), Joseph Bates (brother), Frank Sample (son-in-law), Tom Bates, Jas. Stringer, W. Lewry (London), J. F. Sample (West Bromwich), Joseph Stringer, H. Webster, W. Collins, W. L. J. Orion, (solicitor), Councillors Randle and Tickner, Messrs. F. Reader, E. Strong, W. E. Dalton, Alf. Oswin, T. Buckingham, Joseph Ashley, and Joseph Reader. The bearers were Messrs. T. Carpenter, A. Mason, F Wilkinson, A. Wilkinson, Councillor Gossage, T. Moore, J. Smith, A. Payne, R. Dalton, Councillor Hanson, J. Hanson, J. Broad, E. Broad, J. Judd T. Venn, J. Grant, W. H. Heatley, Dr. Orton, T. Taylor. J.P., J. Simpson, T. Cotton, Mark Cotton, and W. Isaac. On arriving at the cemetery the body was met by the Rev. J. P. Taylor, and conducted to the Wesleyan portion of the cemetery. There were a large number of friends of the deceased present at the cemetery. The many wreaths in addition to those from the family) included floral tributes from Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Randle. Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Sample. sen., Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Bromley, Mr T. Reader, Mr. J. Ashley, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hanson, Mr W. Collins, Mr. and Mrs W. E. Dalton, Mr. and Mrs. T. Rollason, Foleshill Albion C.C., Mr. and Mrs Elijah Strong. Mr and Mrs H. Moore, Foleshill Nursing Association, Mr. and Mrs. T. Bates, and Foleshill Nursing Association Lillywhite Committee.'[5]
Buried at St. Paul's Cemetery, Holbrooks, Coventry