John Lewis Bates

John Lewis Bates (September 18, 1859 – June 8, 1946) was a lawyer and Republican politician from Massachusetts. Bates worked to promote East Boston, securing legislative approval of the first tunnel under Boston Harbor, joining the neighborhood to the rest of the city. From 1903 to 1905, he served as Governor of Massachusetts, upsetting the Republican establishment with his organizing tactics and alienating his own supporters with some of his conservative executive actions and proposals. Later in life, he served as chair of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1917–1918. Early life and education John Bates was born in North Easton, Massachusetts to Rev. Lewis Benton Bates, an itinerant Methodist minister, and Louisa D. (Field) Bates. He attended public school in New Bedford, Chelsea, Taunton, and eventually the Boston Latin School.