By David A. Joslin Rev. Samuel Dwight Bates, D.D. was born at Vernon Center, New York, October 13, 1828. He moved to Haford, Ohio, when he was 15 years of age, was converted not long after, and united with the Burgh Hill Free Will Baptist Church. He attended Geauga Seminary and later became a teacher at the institution. James A. Garfield, destined to become the 20th President of the United States in 1880, was one of his pupils.  Rev. Bates was married to Lodeemy Buchett, October 1, 1850. He was called to the Greenbush Free Will Baptist Church, receiving ordination at this time. After six years, he pastored this church in Marion, Ohio, for 19 years. He also organized two other churched in the area, and ministered to them for a time.  Bates became president of Ridgeville College in Ridgeville, Indiana, in 1872, and served for a period of 14 years. He was also a trustee of Hillsdale College in Michigan, a corporator of The Morning Star, and a member of the Foreign Mission Society. He died at Marion, Ohio, September 17, 1876. Geauga Seminary was located in the town of Geauga, in Chester County, Ohio. Among its founders were David … Continue reading President James A. Garfield: Educated By Free Will Baptists