Joe Bates was born on Tuesday, July 6, 1880, in Auburn, Sangamon County, IL, the son of William and Mary (Kennedy) Bates. His birth record says that he is the 12th child born to William and Mary Bates.

On Tuesday, November 11, 1902, Joe married Maggie Morrison at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose, Monroe County, IA. Witnesses were P. J. Morrison and Annie Grogan. At the time of his marriage, Joe lived in Guilford Township, Hiteman, Monroe County, IA.

Joe spent almost his entire life in Melrose. He entered the U.S. mail service there in 1904 and was a rural mail carrier continuously until stricken in August 1934 with the lung cancer that proved fatal. He originally delivered the mail by horse and buggy. He earned retirement for 30 years mail service in October 1934. Service on rural routes was not required on New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Decoration Day, July 4th, Labor Day, or Thanksgiving, but it was required on Christmas Day. Also, it was expected that rural carriers take no part in political campaigns, that they be neat in appearance and courteous to patrons, and that "mail shall not be exhibited by carriers to others than the addressees."

Joe and Maggie had 3 sons and 1 daughter: Maurice, Jim, Mary, and Bill.

Joe's brother D. W. Bates became the Iowa Superintendent of Banking.

Joe's wife Maggie died on October 23, 1927. Joe lived as a widower for the next 7 years.

Joe, 54 years old, died at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26, 1934, at his home in Jackson Township, Melrose. The cause of his death was carcinoma of the right lung, with metastasis in other organs. Father D. B. Browne said the 9:00 a.m. funeral Mass on Friday, December 28, at St. Patrick's Church in Melrose. Humeston Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Joe was buried beside his wife in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Melrose.