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Bates, Benjamin Edward

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Hon., a generous man of business, was born at Mansfield, Mass., July 12, 1808. He went to Boston in 1829, and commenced what proved to be a prosperous business career. He became a Christian under the preaching of Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, joined his Church in 1832, and became an active Christian worker. In 1847 he had his attention directed to the remarkable water-privilege at Lewiston, Me., and soon after entered into arrangements for the utilizing of this great power for manufacturing purposes. In the spring of 1863 the educational wants of the Free-will Baptists of New England were brought to the notice of Mr. Bates, and his sympathy awakened in behalf of the young of that denomination who were seeking for a more complete training than they could obtain in institutions already in existence. The appeal was not made in vain. Mr. Bates paid $100,000 towards the endowment of the college which bears his name, and subscribed another $100,000 on condition that the friends of the college raise $100,000. An effort is now making (1881) to secure this sum. He died Jan. 14, 1878. See Morning Star. July 3, 1878. (J. C. S.)