William H. Cate

William Henderson Cate (November 11, 1839 – August 23, 1899) was an American politician, lawyer and judge. In 1889 and 1890, he served part of one term as a U.S. Representative from Arkansas. He was removed from his seat following an investigation of election fraud before regaining the seat in the subsequent election, serving an additional term from 1891 to 1893.

Early life and education Cate was born near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the son of Noah Cate, who was a Baptist minister, and his wife Margaret M. (Henderson) Cate. He attended the common schools, as well as an academy at Abingdon, Virginia. He ultimately graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 1857.

In 1868, he married Virginia E. Warner of Craighead County, and the couple had one son.

Early career Cate taught school while studying law.

Civil War During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate States Army, eventually rising to the rank of captain.

Legal career After a move to Jonesboro, Arkansas in 1865, Cate studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Arkansas. In 1866, he commenced the practice of law, counting among his clients the Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad and the St. Louis, Arkansas, and Texas Railroad.

Political career In 1870, he was elected as a Democrat to the Arkansas House of Representatives to represent the first district, which included Craighead, Cross, Jackson, Mississippi and Poinsett counties. Cate was seated in the 18th Arkansas General Assembly on January 2, 1871 and represented the 1st district alongside Charles Minor, L. D. Rozell and J. A. Meek. Cate was re-elected for the 19th Arkansas General Assembly, representing the 1st alongside Roderick Joiner, Hiram McVeigh, and F.W. Lynn. During his time in the Arkansas House, Cate served on the Agriculture and the Cities and Corporations committees. Following the death of circuit judge James Frierson, Cate was appointed circuit judge by Governor of Arkansas James H. Berry on March 17, 1884 to fill the remainer of the term. Judge Cate won election to a full term on the bench September 1, 1884. He organized the Bank of Jonesboro in 1887.

Cate was appointed to return as 2nd Circuit judge following the resignation of J. E. Riddick on October 30, 1890, filling the remainder of the term.

Cate served on the Railways and Canals Committee, introducing bills to build a railroad bridge across the Black River, and to construct a levee on the nearby Mississippi River.