LDS film # 09962913, Excerpts from History of Kentucky, Illustrated, 1885, by
Battle, Perrin, and Kniffin. Appeared in the Central City Messenger and
Times-Argus, Central City, Kentucky, in seven installments during May, June,
and July 1959.J.G. Cates of Central City Obtained In 1878 Patent on
Weed-Turning Device
J.G. CATES was born in Muhlenberg County, KY, November 23, 1849,
and is the sixth of eight children, three boys and five girls
born to Wilson G. and Rebecca S. Cates. The eldest child,
Margaret E., married P.B. Hale, of Texas; Samuel J., who served
four years in the United States services, married Minerva
Thrailkill, of Spencer County, Ind.; Joanna M. was married to
Washington Singleton, of Indiana; Robert D., died while in the
United States service in 1863; Julia A., married William M.
Brisco, of Indiana; Sarah S. died in infancy; Mary A. married S.
Lacefield, of Grayson County, Ky. The father of our subject was
a son of Robert D. Cates, of South Carolina, and great-grandson
of Robert Cates, of England. He came to Muhlenberg County, KY,
in 1836, and in 1839 was married to Rebecca S. Long, daughter of
Samuel C. and Joanna (Culvertson) Long, and granddaughter of
William Long, of Lexington, KY, formerly of Philadelphia, PA.
The father served over three years as a soldier in the Third
Kentucky Cavalry and was with the regiment in all its battles.
He died at Dawson Springs, KY, January 7, 1884. J.G. Cates was
reared on a farm; he received a good common school education and
was for three years employed in teaching. In 1878, he applied
for and obtained a patent on a weed-turning device, and was
engaged in disposing of his invention until 1881, when he went
into the mercantile business at Central City, KY. He was married
September 25, 1883, to Joanna M. Long, of Auburn, Logan Co., KY,
daughter of William B. and Mary T. (James) Long and grandaughter
of R.F. Long of Russellville, KY; Mary T. James was a daughter of
C.L. James, who married Elizabeth Ashburn, both natives of
Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Cates have one child - Samuel DeWitt.
Mrs. Cates is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr.
Cates is a Christian free from sectarian bias, and believes the
time is not far distant when the different church organizations
will unite and form the grand church of Christ.