Houston M. Bates was born circa 1833 in Tennessee. He fought in the Union Army during the Civil War. The U.S. Civil War Records show that Houston enlisted as a Private in Company I of the Kansas 11th Calvary Regiment on July 28, 1863 and was mustered out with the company on September 26, 1865. The record showed his residence as Lawrence, Kansas.
 The Texas 1890 Veterans Schedule shows H. M. Bates living in Denison, Texas (Grayson County). The U.S. City Directories show Houston M. Bates, a carpenter, living in Denison, Texas in 1891.
 The Civil War Pension Index shows that Houston M. Bates who had served in Company I of the 11th Kansas Cavalry, filed for a civil war pension on July 13, 1897 from the state of Texas.