Cate, George A.

George A. Cate, born in Quincy, Illinois, on December 17, 1843, was an extensive operator in husbandry who became a prominent pioneer rancher in Fresno County, California. During the Civil War, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in August 1862, serving alongside his brother Joseph H. Cate, who was tragically killed at the siege of Vicksburg. George survived a bout of swamp fever and continued his military service until he was mustered out at Baton Rouge on October 1, 1865. Following his military discharge, he farmed with his father, Joseph Cate, and later established a homestead near Belleville in Republic County, Kansas.

In 1890, George relocated to California and purchased forty acres of stubble fields in Fresno County, transforming the raw land into highly productive vineyards and orchard tracts. He built a fine residence on the property, which became known as Variety Farm, and focused his agricultural efforts on growing alfalfa, peaches, and grapes under the Enterprise Canal system. He managed his agricultural operations in cooperation with his son, Arthur B. Cate, and together they successfully operated an on-site cannery that put up the Variety Brand of tomatoes. He remained a dedicated community member through his active involvement in the California Associated Raisin Company, the California Peach Growers, Inc., and the local Grand Army of the Republic Post Number 92 in Fresno.