Civil War Veteran
Co A 11th Iowa Infantry
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From military records:
Gates, Lewis W.
Age 19.
Residence Muscatine, Iowa.
Nativity Ohio.
Enlisted September 12,1861.
Mustered September 28, 1861.
Re-enlisted and re-mustered January 1, 1864.
Promoted Corporal Aug. 4, 1864;
Sergeant January 1, 1865.
Mustered out July 15, 1865, Louisville, Ky.
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Based on enlistement participated in Battle of Shiloh April 6-7, 1862. Siege of Corinth, MS Apr 29 – May 30, 1862. Battle of Corinth October 3-4, 1862. Battle of Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion's Hill, Big Black River Crossing, May 1863. Assault on Fort Beauregard, Vicksburg May 19 and 22, 1863. Siege of Vicksburg and Jackson,MS May-Jul, 1863. Battles of Kenesaw Mount, Nickajack Creek, Atlanta. siege of Atlanta, battles of Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station Jun – Aug 1864). Pursuit of Hood into Alabama. (Oct 1 -26). Shermans March to the Sea Nov 15-Dec 10, 1864. Siege of Savannah in December 10-21, 1864. Campaign of the Carolinas Jan – April 1865: Battles of Salkehatchie Swamps, Edisto River, Goldsboro ,Bentonville, Occupation of Raleigh, Surrender of Johnston and his army. March to Washington DC and Grand Review May 24,1865.




Buried at Cranston Cemetery in Muscatine, Iowa.
Wife Mary S. Gates died in Marshalltown, Iowa in Soldiers home on Feb 21, 1884. Born - Oct 18, 1848.

Served in the Civil War Unit - Union Army during the rebellion.

From: Lynn McCleary Add to Contacts
To: Gary Pettit

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Hello Gary
I just came back from the library. My eyes ache a bit. Reading old papers on microfilm is hard at times.

Your people in Muscatine County lived in its farthest corner in the southwest region. Very close to the Louisa / Muscatine County line. Which tends to mean that no one cared to put an obit in the Muscatine Journal because Muscatine was so far away. There was a paper down in Wapello, Louisa Co. and in Columbus Junction, but they were as far away as Muscatine was.

The only obits I found were for
Mrs. Eva Gates, widow of S. P. Gates died Sat. Noon at her home north of Letts in Cedar Twp. The cemetery were she is buried was named Jayne cemetery. (also known as Jean and Oak Grove cemetery)
have copy for you.

Mrs. Mary Gates who died in Marshalltown, IA. There was a mention that she was the wife of Dr. L. W. Gates, of the Soldiers' Home. Have copy for you.

We also had an obit on the Muscatine site, but I discovered that the submitter had entered the wrong year of death. It was not 1900 but 1904. Have just now fixed that on the site.
Source of Obituary:"MUSCATINE JOURNAL", Muscatine, Iowa, Wednesday, March 2, 1900, page 3.
Mary Shellabarger, eldest daughter of John M. and Ruth Shellabarger was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, October 18th; 1816, and died in Marshalltown, Ia. Feb. 21, 1900. When but a young girl she came with her parents to Iowa where they settled on a farm in Seventy-Six township, where she crew to womanhood, developing those graces and charms of mind and heart which were so lovable and endeared her to her many friends. March 1, 1866, she was united in marriage to L. W. Gates. Who had but recently finished four years of service in the civil war. For nearly thirty-eight years she walked loyal and true by her husband's side, sharing the joys and sorrows of their wedded life. Mrs. Gates possessed one of those kindly sympathetic natures which goes out in generous deeds of helpfulness to all who might be in need. In her early girlhood days she united with the United Brethren church and in after life when ever she moved into a new community, connected herself with some branch of Christ's church and took up her part of the work in building His kingdom.

With much regret, nothing was found for:

Malinda H. Pettit d. 27 Aug 1879 - Eisile/Kisor Cemetery searched thru Tues. Sept. 2nd 1879. That cemetery has few stones remaining. It is located deep in a farmers field and it is known that the farmer of a time picked up the stones and tossed them so he could till the land....

Seth G. Gates d. 7 Feb 1878 searched thru Tues Feb 12th nothing

L. W. Gates d. 4 Apr 1911 searched thru Sat. April 8th nothing (try looking in Marshal Town)

John S. Gates d. 19 Apr 1870 searched thru Sat Apr 23rd nothing

I looked at Clinton D. Petit's probate record on microfilm at the library. It was opened on Nov 3, 1846 and did not close until 1849. They might of been leasing the property to someone. John R. was the executor of the estate. It is possible that real estate records would be on file at the Recorders Office but I don't think that is really going to tell you much more about the family.

There are no records of Huldha Gleason Pettit or Mary Jane Strickland Pettit are not buried in Muscatine County. Where and when have you found them in the Federal and Iowa State Censuses? As to a death record for John R. most likely you are going to have to hire a researcher to get it for you. It is the policy of the Iowa county court system not to do any thing pertaining to genealogical research. Perhaps the local Genealogy Society or Library could help you.

6 look ups at $3.00 is $18.00, please. What is your address? Wish I better news for you.

Lynn McCleary
906 Sunrise Circle
Muscatine, IA 52761