H. R. COATE, of the firm of Coate & Caw, merchants, Troy; the senior member of the firm was born in Union Township, this county, in 1850, and is a son of John H. Coate, whose sketch appears in this work. J. M. Caw, the junior member, was born in the same township in the same year; his father, George Caw, was born in Virginia and when a boy came to this county, in which he yet lives; the members of this firm received collegiate educations, after which Mr. Coate spent two years in Cincinnati and one in Philadelphia, in mercantile pursuits; Mr. Caw received a like experience in Toledo; in 1878, the above gentlemen took the reins of establishment in their own hands and are driving to success; their ability, fair dealing and popular business habits are fully recognized by the buying public, who give them high rank among the oldest business houses in Troy. Mr. Coate was married to Miss M. C. Williams in 1870, by whom he has had one child, viz., Orlestus Durant (deceased).