Bios: H. G. COATES, 20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens
  
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       H. G. COATES,
   
   H. G. Coates[p. 558] a leading citizen of New Castle, a prominent
   merchant, and the alderman representing the Seventh Ward, was born in
   Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in 1861, and is a son
   of Jerome B. Coates.
   
   Jerome B. Coates, father of H. G., was born in Allegheny County,
   Pennsylvania, and came to Lawrence County when a young man and settled
   in Edenburg. By trade he was a cooper, but he later went into the
   limestone business and opened up the first limestone quarry in the
   Mahoning Valley. He took an active part in the public affairs of his
   community, but sought no political office. He voted with the Republican
   party.
   
   H. G. Coates was educated in the schools of Edenburg and was little more
   than a school boy when he became attached to the engineer corps that was
   engaged in surveying for the old P. & C. Railroad through this section,
   and he was foreman of the construction crew that worked between New
   Castle and Hazelton. Later he went to work in the freight department of
   the Pennsylvania Railroad, and still later was expressman and baggage
   master, and continued with the road in some capacity for seventeen
   years. When the new tin-mill was built at New Castle he became an
   employe, and remained there for three years, after which he embarked in
   a news, tobacco and cigar business. In 1905 he discontinued his news
   line and enlarged his cigar and tobacco trade, adding also
   confectionery, and in addition started a coal and draying business. His
   enterprise as a business man has long been recognized and he stands very
   high commercially.
   
   In November, 1907, Mr. Coates was appointed alderman for the remainder
   of the year by the Governor of Pennsylvania, to fill out the unexpired
   term of the late G. B. McClain, and in the spring election of 1908 he
   was regularly elected to the office for the full term, which will expire
   in May, 1913. He has been an active politician for many years and an
   ardent Republican.
   
   In 1886, Mr. Coates was married to Miss Minnie A. Smith and they have
   five children, namely: James W., who is his father's assistant in
   business; Clara Bessie, who is a stenographer, and Hiram H., Clarence H.
   and W. Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Coates and the four older children are all
   members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Coates belongs to the
   Knights of Pythias and to the Modern Woodmen.
   
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   20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and
   Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing
   Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
   
   Updated: 6 Nov 2001