Regarding your query on Charles Bates--- Some additional info. from the Jefferson Co. records-- Charles died 29 Mar. 1876, age 59, buried Spring Grove cemetery. (That cemetery is just south of where the village of Boyle is/was. Boyle never was very large and there are still some of the original buildings that mark the location. According to the marriage records May Bates, age 18, married 25 Sep. 1884 to Julius Richerter, age 25. (Book E, page 156) Original land purchases were made by: Charles Bates, of 160 acres in section 10, twp. 8, range 18 for $1.50 per Acre Isaac Bates, of 160 acres in section 15, twp. 8, range 18, for $1.50 per acre. Land owners indicated as of about 1876 map-- Charles Bates, owned 80 acres, sect 3, twp. 8, range 19 Charles Bates, Jr., owned 38 acres in sect 35, twp. 7, range 19 Mary A. (Goddard) Bates, owned 80 acres in sect. 18, twp. 8, range 19 Isaac Bates owned 80 acres in sect. 15, twp 8, range 18 (his original) Checking the probate index, there are files for the following names: Charles Bates, 2012 Isaac Bates, 1715 Lewis Bates, 2069 Thomas Bates, 2415 There is also a biographical sketch in Andrea's History of Kansas regarding the younger Charles Bates, b. 6 Sep. 1840. I can send that to you if you do not already have it. The probate records are available at the county court house. The Jeff. Co. Gen. Soc. has a library in Oskaloosa that has collection of all county newspapers and many obits on file. The library is normally open on Saturday afternoons or by appointment. Let us know if we can be of further help. Richard Wellman, volunteer Jefferson Co. Gen. Soc. --------------------------------- Bored stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games.