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My Grandmother Rosamond (Rose) Gates was from Ohio, I am told. Her father's name was Valentine Gates. Rosamond's Mother died when she was four years old. Rosemond traveled by wagon train down to the Kansas territory. There were many hardships along the way, including disasterous encounters with different Indian tribes. Rosamond (Rose) Gates married my Grandfather Charles Edgar McCart in 1903 in Kansas. They were parents to nine children. Two of the oldest children died soon after they were born. The third born died at 17 years of age from pheumonia. Rosamond and Charles Edgar McCart homesteaded near Circleville, KS. They lived there until the "Dust Bowl". They moved to Topeka, KS because the wind had blown all the top soil away and their crops were gone. Also, Rosamond's health had turned for worse because of consumption (TB). Their eight born child enlisted in the Army during World War II. Rosamond's health suffered from the fear of losing yet another child. Eugene Denton McCart was just 5'4" tall and about 117 lbs (soaking wet)and he was put into the Infantry. He took part in the "African Campaign", Invasion of Italy, he landed on Normandy Beach in the first wave and was under General Patton's command at the Battle of the Bulge. He received many military decorations for his service. But my Grandmother passed away in 1945. I remember from letter's that my mother had received that there was a long time there between 1943 and 1945 that we didn't know if Eugene was alive or dead. All the Army would say was that when they had something to report that we would know. I think the not knowing about her son contributed to her early death. I don't have an exact date for Rosamond Gates McCart's death, but she is buried in the Rochester Cementary in Topeka, KS. I would really appreciate knowing my Grandmother's family history. Who were these Gates???? Did my Grandmother have brothers and sisters? Who was her father - Valentine Gates??? Where was he born and were they German as we have heard from so many different sources!!! My Grandmother had a strong accent - and she often spoke in what I now believe was German. But in a letter from my Mother's sister, Becky, she relates that he, Valentine Gates, was from Scotland! My Grandmother had a beautiful voice and even when she was really ill, she would sing the old songs. And she was a deeply religious person. I would love to hear from other Gate's. Respectully, Betty in CA.

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