The Cate family in Loudon descended from Stephen Cate, who came from Deerfield, New Hampshire, in 1784. He had seven children, named Shadrach, born Aug. 10, 1779; Charles, born Jan. 2, 1781; John, born March 29, 1783; Stephen and Jonathan (twins), born March 3, 1785; Sally born April 1, 1787; Meshach, born July 6, 1789.
Stephen Cate settled upon the farm now owned by way of W. Cate, where he built a log house for himself and family of two children, the eldest being two and 1/2 years and the youngest but 18 months old. He rode from Deerfield, New Hampshire, on horseback with his wife, each carrying one of the children in their arms as they rode upon the same horse. The following year Mrs. Cate, whose name was Anna, gave birth to the twins, Stephen and Jonathan, whose weight at birth was 22 pounds, who lived and grew to large and strong men, looking so nearly alike as hardly to be distinguished from each other. Three of these boys settled in Loudon, Shadrach, John and Stephen.
Shadrach Cate had a family of 11 children, of whom eight lived, named Hiram and Hannah (twins), Rebecca, Eliza, Sally, Judith, Shadrach and Moses. He married Rebecca Chamberlain, an intelligent and estimable woman. Of his family, Shadrach studied medicine and is a skillful practitioner as well as a gentleman of influence and culture, in the city of Washington, D.C.
John Cate settled upon the home farm; married and had a family of four children; the eldest died at birth. The others were named Nancy, Miles and Benjamin. At the birth of Nancy Cate, John, her father, planted an elm tree, which has been growing 76 years and measures 17 feet in circumference at the base.
Benjamin Cate was born March 23, 1814, and married Eliza A. Wells, daughter of Stephen Wells, of Loudon and has two sons, named William W. and Carter E. Cate.
He was a man of large ability and when a young man was often given places of trust. His public life and influence were extensive, and he became one of the leading men of the town in which he resided. He was chosen to various town offices and represented the same in the Legislature. He was a man of genial turn and manner to everyone, and his assistants and counsel were sought and obtained by his neighbors and friends in time of need. He was every man's friend. His life was noted for the integrity and uprightness of character which he ever maintained. His religious principles were firm and deeply fixed, from which there spread an influence that shaped and guided the thoughts and acts of those with whom he associated.
William W. Cate lives upon the homestead of his father, and he is the fourth generation of the Cate family. His early life was largely devoted to the cause of education, and he engaged in school teaching to quite an extent, his efforts being attended with good success. After the death of his father he engaged in agriculture, and sustained a high and influential position as such among the citizens of his native town. He has been elected to, and discharged the duties of, several offices in town with care and fidelity. His advice and assistance are largely sought in matters of probate, and he is a man of strong influence in private and public business. His religious principles are strong and fixed, and his life thus far well marked by exemplary conduct and sincerity of purpose.
Carter E. Cate was born Aug. 26, 1852. He fitted for college at Tilton, New Hampshire, and entered the Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Connecticut, in 1872. After two years he went to Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, where he graduated in 1876. He afterwards attended the Boston University, and in June, 1878, was ordained as a minister of the gospel by the Free Will Baptist denomination, at Loudon, New Hampshire, where he engaged as pastor and remained one year. During his stay with this, his own Church and native town, an unusual and deep felt interest was manifest throughout the whole town in attending divine worship upon the Sabbath, such as had not been experienced for a generation. His preaching was marked with great simplicity and sincerity, which held the mind and attention of his audience from the beginning to the end of his discourse. He engaged at Lake Village, New Hampshire, afterwards, and remained three years; then went Lowell, Massachusetts, and remained one year; then married Electa Dunavan, and moved to Lewiston, Maine. Mr. Cate inherits the Cate family characteristics which are so noticeable in the biography of the family. He is pleasant and affable in appearance, firm in his principles, deeply imbued with respect for Christianity and all its ennobling and elevating principles. His success in life has been most excellent, and a brilliant future seems to await him in the choice of the great calling that he has engaged in as a life work.

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