Elizabeth Mercilla Gates

On October 7, 1821 Elizabeth Frank was born in Canfield, Ohio to the parents of Jacob and Elizabeth Frank.

She married Reverend Peter Gates an itinerant preacher of the German Evangelical Church on August 27, 1840. To them were born eleven children, (the following information taken from the Gates scroll given to Susan Ann Gittins Jones and William Henry Jones as a gift for their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1956):

Children of Peter and Elizabeth Frank Gates:

Adam Gates born 12/24/1844 Mahoming County, Canfield Twsp., Ohio married Sarah Jane Fertig October 6, 1870 in North Liberty, Iowa died 01/13/1916 Anthony, KS. They had 4 children.

Peter Gates II Born 7/26/1845 Wayne County, Plain Twsp., Ohio- M. Francis

Elizabeth “Libbie”Gates Fisher born 6/23/1846 Ross county, Springfield twsp., Ohio M. Joesph Fisher 3/11/1866 Muscatine County, Iowa. Had 7 children. (Updated information: Discrepancies on # of children could be 7 or 8 possibly one set of twins. Died in Reedley, California in 8/11/1925.

Sarah (Sallie) Gates Gittins-born 1/1/1848 Darke Co., Gettysburg, Ohio-married William Richard Gittins 1/18/1883 in West Liberty, Iowa- d. 4/8/1898 in Williamsburg, Iowa buried at Oak Hill cemetery. (Died of Consumption. Was the first of her siblings to die) (Added from up dated info.) 2 children.

Mary Gates Larue-born 11/11/1849 Darke co, Allen twsp, Ohio married Alvin Larue (03/05/1868. Died at Delta, Kansas, daughter Abbie Scotts home 01/22/1925, buried in Anthony, Kansas 01/26/1925. 3 sisters Leah, Rachael and Elizabeth and one brother Ezra surviving.) Made wool yarn wreath and presented same to Sarah Gates in 1900 now in Ivan Gates home. (added from updated info)

Jacob Gates- born 07/29/1851 Darke County, Ohio. Married Betty Wilcox (no date) D. 06/09/1880 buried in Downey cemetery. No children

Leah Gates Holloway-Born 6/21/1853 Darke County, Allen Twsp., Ohio m. 01/01/1879 Oliver Holloway in West Liberty, Iowa. Died 04/16/1928 Springdale, Iowa buried at West Liberty Cemetery, West Liberty, Iowa. 3 children-No grandchildren

Rachel Gates Gregg-Born 12/11/1854 Darke County Allen Twsp., Ohio. M. Henry Gregg 02/15/1875 Iowa City, Iowa. Died 4/08/1934 Buried at West Branch. Gideon Gates-born 12/31/1856 Darke County, Allen twsp., Ohio. Married Mary Hormel 10/21/1885 and then again 3/8/1899 they split again and he married Nellie Hughes 11/2/1906 in Sedgwick Co., Kansas they had two little girls. Gideon died June 1, 1920 and is buried in Anthony, Kansas.

Susanne Gates Hunter-born 3/12/1858 Darke County Allen Twsp. Ohio. M. 12/18/1884 Lawson A. Hunter in Muscatine, Iowa. D. 12/24/1933 Anthony, Harper County, Kansas. 9 Children, lots of Grandchildren

Ezra Gates-born 07/19/1859 Darke County Allen Twsp. Ohio. M. 2/4/1855 Elizabeth (Lizzie) Hill near River Junction Johnson County. Died in 1926 Anthony, Harper County, Kansas. 3 children

Elizabeth united with the Presbyterian church when fifteen years of age, later uniting with Evangelical church with which she held her membership at the time of her death. For many years they endured the privations of heroic pioneer itinerant life. Their circuit at one time was three hundred miles long and contained thirty-five preaching places. After many years of faithful service they moved to Iowa, settling near West Liberty about 31 years ago. Rev. Peter Gates who was born on 2/28/1807 died just shy of being 75 years of age on 2/18/1882.

Elizabeth died on Wednesday, March 3, 1897 at 11 o’clock in the morning at the age of 76 years. Her funeral was held Saturday, March 6, 1897 at 11:30 at the Methodist Church in West Liberty, Iowa, the text Rev 7:16-17 {16:They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17:For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.}, being one used by the deceased husband on a similar occasion in 1838. Elizabeth Frank Gates is buried at Oakridge cemetery in West Liberty with her husband.