Transcribed from Goodspeed’s History of  Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketches of from Twenty-Five to Thirty Counties of East Tennessee, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, etc., etc. (Chicago and Nashville:  The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887), pp. 962-987.  See footnote below for on-line access.

John B. CATE, a prominent planter of the First District, was born April 18, 1810, in Jefferson County, East Tenn., a son of Thomas and Avy (WILLHITE) CATE. The father was a native of Virginia, and died in McMinn County, Tenn., where he immigrated with his family at an early day, and made a settlement in that county before the departure of the Indians. He was a farmer. His wife was a native of South Carolina. Our subject is the fifth of nine children. He received a good common school education in McMinn County. In 1834 he immigrated to Van Buren County, Iowa, and remained fourteen years. In 1852 he returned to Polk County, where for twenty-three years he was a citizen. In 1875 he returned to Bradley County. After renting the farm upon which he lives for two years, he purchased it, and now owns about 500 acres. He is, perhaps, the oldest living settler of the Ocoee Purchase. He was here at the organization of Bradley County, and was a juror at the first term of the court. He is a Republican, and highly esteemed citizen. December 29, 1829, he married Miss Tanzy BRANDON, whose parents came from Virginia at an early date, and settled in the Hiwassee purchase. Mrs. CATE died in Polk County, December 10, 1874. Her children all died in infancy. Our subject’s second union was with Miss Sarah GRIFFIN. This last marriage has resulted in the birth of one son and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. CATE are active and consistent members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Later: On the 28th of March, 1887, Mr. CATE died, his death being a serious loss to the community and a severe blow to his family.

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This biography was transcribed by Sherry Pollard. We thank her for transcribing all the Goodspeed’s biographical sketches.

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