Washington Co., AR - Biographies - Obed C. Cate

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Obed C. Cate, farmer, stock raiser, and trader, was born in 
Jefferson County, Tenn, September 15, 1831, and is the son of 
Charles and Rachel (Thornburg) Cate. The father was born in 
Jefferson County, Tenn., September 9, 1805, and the mother in the 
same county January 21, 1808. They lived in their native State 
until 1847, when they moved to Washington County, Ark., and 
purchased the property where their son. Obed C., is now living. 
Here they passed their last days, the father dying December 3, 
1869, and the mother February 14, 1863. The father was a thrifty 
farmer, was a Whig before the war, and during that eventful period 
he was a Union man. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist 
Church. Their family consisted of seven children, three sons and 
four daughters. Obed C. Cate and his sister Jane were twins. He 
was educated to a limited extent in the old subscription schools, 
and after working for his father until twenty-one years of age, he 
began as an independent farmer. October 9, 1853, he married Miss 
Mary Miller, who was born in Washington County, and who bore him 
ten children, Sidney M., Lafavette, William A., Annie J., Charles 
E., Laura A., John O., Aimy, Carrie and Mary A. In 1862 Mr. Cate 
was conscripted in the Confederate army, but succeeded in getting 
out after four months' service. After marriage he settled upon the 
farm where he now lives, and which consists of 300 acres. Mr. Cate 
is a Republican in his political views, and is a member of the I. 
O. O. F. He has lived in this county for forty-one years, and is 
accounted one of the most successful farmers in his community.