Biographies O
William W. Oates
William W. Oates, Muhlenberg County, was born July 19, 1841, on the farm, where he now resides, and is the second of five boys and one girl born to Matthew and martha (Foster) Oates, natives of Muhlenberg County and North Carolina, respectively, of English descent. Matthew Oates was the son of Jesse Oates.
William W. was reared on a farm, and attended the common schools. He enlisted in October, 1861, in Company K, Eleventh Kentucky Volunteer Infantry; took part in the battle of Shiloh; was in the hospital for nearly a year; was discharged in March, 1863; returned home and engaged in farming; he owns 175 acres of land in good condition, which he has acquired by his own industry.
He was married September 29, 1864, to Elizabeth Coleman, of Muhlenberg County, daughter of Archibald C. and Mary (Powell) Coleman, natives of Muhlenberg and Caldwell Counties, respectively, and of English origin.
To Mr. and Mrs. Oates nine children were born: Matthew A., Carroll E., Mary J., Viola V., Florence J., Etta M., Willie D., Lawrence G. and Vanna. Mr. Oates and wife are Methodists; he is a Mason; was formerly a Granger.
Source: Battle, J.H., W.H. Perrin, and G.C. Kniffen. Kentucky: A History of the State. Louisville, KY: F.A. Battey, 1885. Page 917.
Updated July 9, 2018