Brought to Wyoming in the prosecution of the pleasing business he has been engaged in since leaving school, that of surveying, which he has done for railroad companies, the U. S. Government, private persons and corporations, thereby made familiar with the lay of the land in all northern Wyoming and adjoining states, Frederick W. Coates deliberately selected his present location for a permanent home from a choice made through an extensive knowledge and well seasoned judgment. His fine ranch is located fifteen miles northeast of Newcastle, in Weston County, and is surrounded with an ample range for the herds of superior cattle to which it is devoted, and for which it yields annually large crops of hay. He came to this section of the country from a great mercantile and manufacturing center, having been born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 1, 1856, the son of Donald and Sarah J. (Keith) Coates, natives of New York State who came to Minnesota soon after their marriage and engaged in farming and fruit growing near Minneapolis. In 1874 they removed to California, and, soon after their arrival in that state, the mother died. Her remains were taken to Scott County, Minnesota, and they’re buried. The father then returned to California and bought a fruit ranch in Santa Clara County, on which he now resides. Frederick W. Coates remained at home until he was sixteen years old, receiving his education in the schools of Minneapolis, taking a special course of instruction and training in civil engineering and surveying at a technical school of renown at Excelsior, from which he was graduated in 1872. He then for four years was in the service of the Northern Pacific Railroad as a surveyor. His next employment was on a U. S. Government survey in the northwest, where he was engaged until 1881, his work in this connection calling him frequently to Wyoming, and, for a short time in 1876, keeping him in the Black Hills Country. After leaving the government service he did surveying for himself and for others in the mining country around Deadwood until 1883, when he came to Buffalo, Wyoming, and since that time he has been engaged in surveying in the northern part of the state, principally in Crook and Weston Counties, being still in great demand throughout a large extent of country. He has been interested in other business during the whole of his residence in the West. While he was in government service he owned and also conducted a freighting outfit between here and South Dakota, and the Black Hills, which he sold in 1882. In 1887 he bought a livery business in Sundance, Wyoming, afterwards associating J. E. Duling with himself in this enterprise. This business continued until 1889, when they opened and conducted a livery barn at Newcastle until 1892, when Mr. Coates sold his interest to M. B. Camplain. Before this, however, he had secured the ranch on which he now lives in exchange for a livery business and when he sold to Mr. Camplain, he took up his residence on the ranch which is his home, and since then has devoted his entire time and energies to its improvement and the development of his cattle industry, except such time as he has been obliged to give to surveying, having been the county surveyor from the organization of the county, and his professional services being in frequent demand by private parties. His ranch is well improved, having good buildings and fences. It is a representative home of the section as he is a representative citizen thereof. It bespeaks his good taste and judgement, as his career among this people bespeaks his enterprise and public spirit. On April 24, 1888, at Deadwood, S. D., he was married to Miss Ellen McCaffrey, a native of Glengarry, County, Ontario, and a daughter of John and Ellen McCaffrey, natives of Ireland. Five children have brightened their home, James H., William, Herbert, Mamie and Florence. Mr. Coates is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, belonging to the lodge at Newcastle, and in politics he is an active and Zealous Republican, giving to his party good service in its various state and county campaigns. He is looked up to as a leading citizen, devoted to the well fare of the community.
