Introduction
John Coates was born in Pennsylvania in September of 1819. He started out as a bricklayer, went into real estate and investments and was one of Camden’s wealthiest men when he passed away in January of 1903.
John Coates married Rebecca Jones in the 1830s. John and Rebecca Coates were living in Camden when son John William was born in 1840. Two more children followed, son Lewis and daughter Francis.
Church records from the early 1840s show John Coates as a member of the Third Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Camden. When he passed away, however, services were held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Market Street.
John Coates enlisted in the Union Army on September 4, 1861. He was commissioned as a Captain with Company I, New Jersey 10th Infantry Regiment on November 26, 1861.
William Bryan of Beverly, New Jersey recruited and organized this regiment which was known as the “Olden Legion.” John Y. Foster, whose history of New Jersey’s Civil War units written in 1868, states that “On the first roster of the regiment, after being placed in State service, is this endorsement: ‘This regiment was raised by individuals, not authorized by the State, and accepted by the War Department as an independent organization, some time in the fall of 1861, and was not known by the State authorities until it was placed under their care, January 29, 1862.’”
When the organization of the regiment was completed with nine companies of infantry and one company of cavalry, it was established at Camp Beverly, New Jersey where William Bryan lived. The unit proceeded to Washington, D.C., on December 26, 1861, with 35 officers, 883 non-commissioned officers and privates, for a total of 918 men.
After they marched to Camp Clay on the Bladensburg Turnpike, a location approximately one mile from Washington, they were reorganized and designated the 10th New Jersey Infantry. Soon after being reorganized the cavalry company, Company D, was discharged and a new company was raised that April. In fact, the regiment was not very effective by February 1862 when many of the cavalry company were under arrest for refusing to do infantry duties.
Captain Coates mustered out on March 6, 1862.
John Coates was a member of the G.A.R., belonging to Thomas M.K. Lee Post No. 5 of the G.A.R., where his son John W. Coates was also a member, having served for over 3 years as a Private in Company B, 3rd New Jersey Infantry.
Camden’s 1863 City Directory shows John Coates at 124 West Street, where he was still living in November of 1899. The Census of 1870 shows John Coates living with his wife and three children. John W., 30, Lewis C., 24, and Frances, 18. The 1880 Census shows John Coates, his wife Rebecca and sons John W. and Lewis C. Coates living at 124 West Street. Daughter Frances had married Dr. Onan B. Gross, a prominent Camden physician. John W. Coates worked with his father as a bricklayer, while Lewis was a grocer.
In February of 1899 John Coates son John W. Coates died suddenly while visiting his sister Frances and her husband, Dr. Onan B. Gross, at their home at 700 Market Street. Still living at 124 West Street and conducting his real estate business in November of 1899, John Coates reported a robbery in his home. This proved not to have been the case. John Coates moved in with his daughter and son-in-law shortly thereafter.
John Coates passed away in January of 1903. When his estate was finally settled in January of 1905, it was valued at $176,485.18.
John Coates’ involvement in real estate and investments in Camden kept his name alive in the city long after his passing. Three small streets bore the name of Coates. As of 2014 one, Coates Court, is completely obliterated and there is very little physical evidence to show the other two, Coates Avenue and Coates Alley, ever existed.
Son Louis C. Coates was still living in Camden as late as 1925.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
John W. Coates, son of John Coates, of West and Mickel streets, died suddenly Monday evening in the back yard of his brother-in-law, Dr. O. B. Gross, at Seventh and Market streets. County Physician Jones gave a certificate of death from pneumonia. Deceased was a veteran of the Civil War.
City Detective Painter has recovered in New York city $500 worth of goods stolen from a Camden merchant.
The Philadelphia Cremation Society, with a capital stock of $125,000, filed articles of incorporation in the County Clerk’s office yesterday.
Post 5, G. A. R., has adopted resolutions requesting Secretary of the Navy Long to name one of the new battleships New Jersey.
Thieves broke into Dr. Jones’ private asylum on the White Horse pike yesterday morning and stole all the eatables they could find.
An attempt was made to rob John H. Riddle’s house, at 506 Federal street, but the thieves were frightened off.
Missed Big Sum
Philadelphia Inquirer —
THIEVES GOT $300, BUT OVERLOOKED $85,000
Robbery of Residence of a Wealthy Camden Man Who Does Not Trust Banks
John Coates, a wealthy property owner, reported to the Camden police yesterday that he had been robbed of $300 at his home, 124 West street. Mr. Coates, although 80 years of age, lives alone at the above-named address, and not only personally supervises his real estate affairs, but also keeps his money lying loosely about the house. The theft was probably committed by persons familiar with his mode of living, but the peculiar feature of the robbery is that the thief, or thieves, overlooked $5000 in cash in a closet nearby, and $80,000 in bonds that were in an adjoining room.
The police believe that the thieves were frightened off before they finished their work.
Mr. Coates is not a believer in banks but has kept his money about him for years.
Over in Camden
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Early yesterday morning thieves broke into Joshua Gillespie’s house, at 422 North Second street, but were frightened off after packing up considerable plunder.
The E. A. Stevens’ School will not be reopened to-morrow, as announced, in order to prevent a further spread of diphtheria that broke out in that vicinity a few days ago.
Reuben James, colored, was committed in default of $500 bail, by Justice Stackhouse, yesterday, charged with being a policy writer.
The Rumsey thirty-feet hook and ladder arrived in Camden yesterday, and was immediately sent out to the east side fire house on Cooper avenue, where it will be placed in commission about December 15.
The Camden Home for Friendless Children is badly in need of funds. A check for $100 has been received from Howland Croft Sons & Co. An entertainment will be given in Mechanics’ Hall on December 6 for the benefit of the home.
After a thorough investigation, the police are of the opinion that John Coates, of West and Mickle streets, was not robbed, as reported. Nothing has been found missing from the house, and even the $300 reported to have been stolen two weeks ago has been found.
Testimony was taken before Supreme Court Commissioner Lewis Starr yesterday, to determine who is counsel for Miss Lyda Delaney, who sued Thomas J. Husband for $50,000 damages for breach of promise, which resulted in a non-suit. She then dismissed Lawyer Samuel Roberts as her counsel and engaged Attorney H. S. Scovel to institute new proceedings, but Lawyer Roberts claims that he has an agreement with Miss Delaney that prevents her from discharging him and employing another attorney in the case.
Wealthy Camden Man's Funeral
Philadelphia Inquirer —
The funeral of John Coates, one of Camden’s richest men, occurred yesterday from the residence of his son-in-law, Dr. O. B. Gross, 700 Market street. The services were conducted by Revs. R. A. Roderick and C. K. Binder. Interment was in Harleigh Cemetery.
Some time ago when Mr. Coates lived at 124 West street he went to the residence of City Detective Hart early in the morning and declared he had been robbed. The detective searched the house and in a trunk without a lid found $10,000 in bank notes, and interest-bearing securities amounting to over $100,000. After this incident Mr. Coates placed his wealth in the keeping of a trust company. He was the owner of a large number of houses.
Estate of John Coates
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Judge Joline yesterday passed the final accounting of the estate of John Coates, which is valued at $176,485.18. Lawyer William C. Jones was allowed a proctor’s fee of $1000.
Coates Street Area
