Nahum Ball Gates

Portrait of Colonel Nahum Ball Gates, son-in-law of abolitionist Rev. John Monteith, cofounder of the University of Michigan

Colonel Nahum Ball Gates (1812–1890) was an American military officer, politician and businessman from Lorain County, Ohio. He became mayor of Elyria, Ohio, and was elected its sheriff and justice of the peace. He was also president of Lorain County Agricultural Society, and was appointed collector of Internal Revenue for the 14th District of Ohio by President Abraham Lincoln.

Biography

Nahum Ball Gates was born in St. Alban's, Vermont, on September 28, 1812, to Capt. John Gates and Abigal Ball. Gates had three brothers who served in the war. He stayed in business for 23 years. He devoted a day in 1885 in homage to the death of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. He was also among the founders and active workers of the Elyria Union School.