John L. Bates

Who was John L. Bates?

John Lewis Bates was born in North Easton, Massachusetts to Rev. Lewis Benton Bates, a Methodist minister, and Louisa D. Bates. He attended public school in New Bedford, Chelsea, Taunton, and eventually the Boston Latin School. He then attended the Methodist-affiliated Boston University, earning an A.B. in 1882, and went on to graduate from Boston University School of Law in 1885. Over the next decade Bates practiced law in Boston. He married Clara Elizabeth Smith on July 12, 1887.

Bates, a Republican, served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1894 to 1899; from 1897 to 1899 he was Speaker of the House. From 1900 to 1903 he was the 38th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. In 1902, Bates was elected the 41st Governor, holding office from 1903 to 1905. At the time, Boston's Police Commissioner was appointed by the Governor. During his first term in office, Bates generated controversy by disregarding city requests and appointing to the position an outsider, Judge Emmons, who promised to reform the department. He won re-election but was defeated in his bid for a third term in 1904. Bates then retired to his private law practice in Boston.