Bates was born November 6, 1839 in Orleans County, Vermont.
In 1857 the Bates family moved to Poweshiek, County, Iowa, to begin farming near the town of Malcom.
He attended Grinnell College, known then as Iowa College, prior to joining the 4th Iowa cavalry.
After his Civil War service, Bates returned to the Malcom area to operate a farm and livestock business.
Late in life he moved to California. Bates died October 16, 1915, and was buried
in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, California.