City: Knoxville
CATES, Charles T. Jr., lawyer; born Maryville, Tenn., March 6, 1863; son of Charles T. and Martha V. (Kidd) CATES; father’s occupation, lawyer; received his primary education at the New Providence academy, Maryville, Tenn. graduated from Maryville College 1881 with degree of B.A.; received degree of L.L.D. in 1909; taught school from 1881 to 1884, two years of this time as principal of the public school in Maryville, Tenn.; studied law at night and during vacation in his father’s office; received license to practice in October 1883; was admitted to the bar at December term of the circuit court at Loudon, Tenn., and began practicing at Maryville, Tenn., as a member of the firm of Cates & Son; in 1889 he removed to Knoxville, where he was member of the firm of Howe & Cates, 1889-91; he was in partnership with Gen. R.N. Hood from 1891 to latter’s death in 1892; in 1893 he formed partnership with Jerome Templeton, under firm name of Templeton & Cates which partnership continued until 1898; in October 1902 he became member of the firm of Shields, Cates & Mountcastle, Knoxville, Tenn.; in September 1902 he was appointed attorney-general and reporter of the state for full term of eight years, re-appointed in 1910; he had charge of case of State of Tenn. vs. Standard Oil Co., resulting in decree of ouster by Supreme Court of Tennessee against Oil Company (appealed to Supreme Court of U.S.); former chairman of Democratic Executive Committee of Knox County 1898-1902; member of Democratic State Executive Committee 1898-1900; delegate at large to Democratic National Convention, Kansas City, Mo., 1900; managed campaign for “Free and Untrammelled Judiciary” in 1910; married Emma J. PARHAM, Nov. 3, 1886; member Elks, Knights of Pythias, and Cumberland Club; also member of Tennessee and American Bar Associations; director of the Third National Bank of Knoxville; member of Methodist church.
