Submitted By: Mary Bradley
Joseph C. Oates, wagon-shop Shullsburg; born June 26, 1845, in Cornwall England; when about 1 year old he came with his parents to Shullsburg. He worked with his father farming until about the age of 19; he then worked with I.B. Tully at wagon making about three years. He then went to Apple River and opened a shop, firm of Peter & Oates; continued about fifteen months; he then returned to Shullsburg and again worked for I. B. Tully. Then he returned to Apple River and worked for Black, Irvine & Company about 4 years. In the Fall of 1873 he returned to Shullsburg and commenced his present business. Married Elizabeth J. Jenkins February 3, 1869. She was born in Shullsburg. They have four children: Howard A.; George F.;Jennie E. and Charles L. (History of Lafayette County 1881, page 739) Justitia Lodge, No. 12 I.O.O.F. Was instituted by John G. Potts of Galena, January 1, 1847 under a dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge of the United States, and chartered March 1, 1848 with the following members: Jeffrey T. Halsey, William G. Hovey, Robert Robinson, William H. Howard, A.P. Ladd and Augustus Rien. Meetings were convened regularly and the number of members increased with each year. The lodge room which was originally of limited dimensions and primitive appointments, gave way to handsome quarters, in time, which have served to accommodate fraternal meetings, sociables and entertainments peculiar to the order and amenities of life. At present, the lodge numbers 107, members and meetings are held in Blakely's Hall. The officers now in service are Richard Bunt, Jr., N.G., R.M. Trestrail, V.G.; Joseph C. Oates and Thomas H. Oates, Secretaries: Richard Ivey, Treasurer. The value of the lodge property is quoted as $3,000. (History of Lafayette County 1881, pages 581 and 582.)