James Bates (1789-1882) a U.S. Representative, was born in Greene on September 24, 1789. He attended the common schools; studied medicine at Harvard Medical University.
Bates served as a surgeon during the War of 1812 and was present at the surrender of Fort Erie. He was in charge of the general military hospital near Buffalo, New York, until his resignation in May 1815.
Thereafter he returned to Maine, practicing medicine in Hallowell from 1815 to 1819, then in Norridgewock from 1819. Bates was elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-second Congress (March 4, 1831-March 3, 1833).
After serving as superintendent of the State hospital for the insane 1845-1851, he resumed the practice of medicine in Gardiner and Fairfield. He moved to Yarmouth in 1858 and engaged in practice until his death there February 25, 1882, with interment in what is now known as the Old Oak Cemetery in Norridgewock.
Additional resources
James Bates Congressional Biography: https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=B000236 (accessed January 11, 2021)