I think that it may be significant if Bill Gates is descended from Frederick Gates, and it seems possible, if not likely. John D Rockefeller, around the turn of the twentieth century, was believed to be the richest man on Earth, like Bill Gates some hundred years later. John D Rockefeller also was embroiled in the most significant fight with the U.S. Government who tried to curb Standard Oil's apparent monopoly and what it saw as unfair practices coming out of that monopoly, in a very similar way that Gates and Microsoft were involved in similar battles. How does this relate to Frederick Gates? John D Rockefeller used Frederick Gates as his number one adviser, and often said Frederick Gates was the smartest businessman he knew. Frederick Gates became rich is his own right, most likely through his association with Rockefeller. In a biography about Frederick Gates I read some years ago, Gates was quoted in telling this story on how he met Rockefeller: Apparently, Gates met Rockefeller on a train journey, possibly finding a way (both had strong links to the Baptist Church) to be invited into Rockefeller's private rail car. Rockefeller complained to Gates that he was loosing money he invested in silver mines in Colorado, apparently through silver miners spiriting the silver out undetected. He said he would reward anyone who could find out how this was being done, so they could catch the culprits. Frederick Gates then travelled on trains passing through the area of the silver mines, on the cheapest coach fares, so as to be seated with miners traveling to and from the mines. He soon befriended the miners, and listened closely to their stories about the silver mines. He quickly uncovered the means by which the silver was being smuggled out, and passed this on to Rockefeller. Gates was rewarded with his role as adviser to Rockefeller. Apparently, although he could easily afford to travel first class, Frederick Gates always bought the cheapest tickets when traveling, to maintain contact with the common man, and what was happening in that world. It is interesting to note that Bill gates also always travels coach class and gives a similar reason. Although Rockefeller had an apparently very public persona, he also was known for keeping his family life very private. My own grandfather, who came to the US when Rockefeller was amassing his wealth, was a keen follower of Rockefeller. He often told me Rockefeller anecdotes. One was that John D Rockefeller had a small house on the outreaches of his estate where he raised his children, as if he were a lowly employee on the estate. His children shared a bicycle and were kept in the dark about the family's wealth, until they were sent off to school. Frederick Gates himself was a very private person and kept his family and own dealings away from the public gaze, except for his work setting up Rockefeller's charitable foundations, which was where the public were directed when enquiring about the Rockefeller's. This could be seen as echoed in Bill Gates present public persona. What might mitigate against this connection is that the Frederick Gates and his family seemed very well settled on the East Coast, rarely moving much further west than Chicago. However, it could also be possible, after Frederick passed on, to help maintain the family's privacy, they could well have moved on to Seattle.
ADDED (August 27, 2014): It is most uncanny, that both Gates' were and still are heavily involved with the destruction of the American education system.
No he does not it is a popular roomer but he does not T-pain does.
Frederick T. Fraunfelder was born in 1934.
Frederick T. Kemper was born in 1816.
Frederick T. Kemper died in 1881.
Frederick T. Haneman was born in 1863.
T. Frederick Candlyn died in 1964.
T. Frederick Candlyn was born in 1892.
John T. Frederick was born in 1893.
Benjamin T. Frederick was born in 1834.
Benjamin T. Frederick died in 1903.
Frederick T. Woodman was born in 1871.
Frederick T. Woodman died in 1949.