CATE, George S.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, p 693 [Portrait p 692]

George S. CATE is a prominent citizen of Spring Townships, Boone County [IL].  He is a general farmer and the owner of a fertile and productive estate, located on section 3.   Born in Salem, MA, 02 Nov 1816, he is the son of Samuel and Mary (STACEY) CATE, natives respectively of NH and MA.  The father departed this life in OH when 87 years of age, and the mother died in Salem, MA, in her 45th year.

Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers of our subject were patriots in the War of the Revolution, one of them being crippled for life in that stuggle, and in prison for 11 months in NY City.  George S. of this sketch was one in a family of seven children, of whom he is the only survivor.  He remained at home until 15 years of age and then, learning the trade of a currier, followed that occupation for eleven years.  He had resolved to seek a home in the Far West, and accordingly took passage on a boat at Buffalo, landing in Cleveland [OH] and proceeding thence in a canal boat to Chillicothe, where he again embarked on a steamer.  After sailing down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi, he arrived at St. Louis, from which city he traveled to Galena [Jo Daviess County], IL, and there met a gentleman, who for a small compensation, gave him a ride to Boone County.  Arriving here, he purchased a farm consisting of 140 acres and at once commenced its improvement.  The old log house which stood on the place remained his home for 10 years, when he erected a more substantial residence.

Miss Marille HEATON, who was born in 1821 in NY, became the wife of our subject in 1853.   She bore her husband two sons, who are now deceased, and departed this life in Feb 1891, in her 69th year.  Mr. CATE is one of the largest landowners in the county, his estate including at the present time 300 broad acres.  He has recently erected a handsome farm residence and has improved his estate with all the necessary buildings and machinery which make of agriculture a pleasant as well as profitable business.  He came to Boone County with no knowledge whatever of cultivating the soil, and today is known throughout Northern Illinois as the owner of one of the best estates in this section.

Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, but since the organization of the Republican party he has been a stanch adherent of its principles.   For four years he filled the office of Justice of the Peace and has been the incumbent of various other positions of honor and trust.  Modest and unassuming, his sturdy integrity has won the confidence of all with whom business or social intercourse has brought him in contact, and his place is among the most successful and prominent residents of Boone County.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.