The Biographical Dictionary of America/Coates, George Morrison

COATES, George Morrison, merchant, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 20, 1817; son of George Morrison and Rebecca (Hornor) Coates; grandson of Josiah Langdale and Mary (Morrison) Coates; and great^ grandson of both Thomas Coates, who emigrated from Leicestershire, England, in 1683, and John Hornor, who came from Yorkshire in the ship Providence in the same-year, landing at Burlington, N.J., where he bought property and settled. George was educated at the best private classical schools of his native city, and received a mercantile training. He was established by his father in a business in woolen cloths in 1838, in which he continued until 1859. He subsequently engaged in the wool business in partnership with his brother Benjamin. In 1869 both brothers became special partners with the son of George Morrison Coates in the book publishing house of Porter & Coates. Mr. Coates was for eleven years director of the Pennsylvania railroad company representing the stock held by the city of Philadelphia, and which was subsequently sold by his advice, his conviction being that the municipality ought not to be so closely allied with any corporation. In politics he was originally a Whig and afterward became a Republican. He was an early member of the Union League club of Philadelphia, and served that city for many years as a member of the board of health. In 1864 he was a Republican presidential elector and in 1868 headed the ticket as elector-at-large for Grant and Colfax, and in 1872 for Grant and Wilson. In 1840 he was married to Anna, daughter of Henry Troth, a native of Maryland and a prominent citizen of Philadelphia. He died in Philadelphia, Pa., May 21, 1893.