Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 687.

WILLIAM H. GATES

     is without doubt, to be numbered among the earliest and most active
pioneers of Oregon. . He is now a stockman, residing some eight miles northwest
of Spray. His birth occurred in Gallia county, Ohio, on December 27, 1836. N. H.
Gates, his father, was born in Virginia and crossed the plains to, California in
1850. Two years later he came to Oregon and was appointed by the governor as a
colonel in the militia. He died on May 20, 1886. He had married Mary Koontz, who
was born in Virginia and died in 1868. Our subject accompanied his parents to
Iowa in 1841, journeying thence in 1852 across the plains by ox teams to the
Pacific coast. The father was in California and our subject with his mother and
sisters made the journey to Vancouver, Washington. They spent the winter in
Portland then moved to the Cascades on the Washington side, where they remained
one year. In 1854 they came on to The Dalles and three years later our subject
took up the stock business. Aside from three years in which our subject was
occupied as will be mentioned later he has continued uninterruptedly in the
stock business since 1857. He remained in the vicinity of The Dalles until 1868
then moved to Trout creek, which was in Wasco and is now in Crook county. He
remained nine years there and in 1877 came to his present location where he took
a preemption. To this he has added by purchase since until he has now eleven
hundred acres of good soil. He handles about three hundred head of cattle and
some horses.
    At The Dalles in 1864 Mr. Gates married Miss Mary Koontz, who was born in
Wapello county, Iowa. Her father, John Koontz, was one of the pioneers of that
state. To this union two children have been born, John and George.  During the
Indian wars in 1855-6 our subject participated in the same with the volunteers,
doing also much scouting. On one morning he was sent out on a scouting
expedition and just as he was unhobbling his horse fifty Indians appeared. He
fired upon them and fled to the camp. He was reprimanded by the commanding
officer for this firing and as punishment was appointed herder of the stock.
While in company with two companions in this business the Indians appeared again
and fired upon them, then a battle was launched, which continued for four days,
the Indians finally being defeated. During the three years in which Mr. Gates
was not occupied in stock raising he was engaged in mining and packing to the
mines of the northwest. He took the first pack train to the noted Orofino in
1861 and also the first train to the Salmon river mines. Then he went to British
Columbia and stayed a year. Following that time he removed to Idaho and the next
spring contracted for a quartz mill about to be put up in Idaho. Governor A. C.
Gibbs told Mr. Gates in discussing this subject that it was the first quartz
mill ever put out in Oregon or Idaho. From his succinct account of his career it
will be noticed that Mr. Gates has been closely identified with the pioneer life
of the northwest and with its development. He has done a lion's share in the
good work and has also so conducted himself that he has won the admiration and
commendation of his fellows. He stands well in the community and is a good
substantial citizen.


*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.