Yuba County
Biographies
HORATIO CLIFFORD CATE
A wide-awake executive whose services are appreciated by both the well-known concern he represents and also the patrons whom he has the pleasure of serving, is Horatio Clifford Cate, the accommodating manager of the Pratt Building Material Company, of Marysville. He was born at Princeton, Colusa County, on May 2, 1889, the son of Fred and Ida (Brown) Cate. His father came as a boy with his parents across the plains, and has spent most of his life in California. At present he is operating the ferry for Colusa and Glenn Counties. Mrs. Cate, the mother, breathed her last at the early age of thirty, esteemed and mourned by many friends.
Horatio C. Cate enjoyed grammar-school opportunities in pursuit of an education, and then went to work as a boy, remaining for twelve years with the Exploration Gold Dredging Company of Oroville. In time he became dredge-master, and helped to build one of the dredges. In June, 1919, after and enviable record for efficiency and dependability, he entered the service of the Pratt Building Material Company; and he has been in charge of their Marysville plant and their growing trade ever since, and is also a stock-holder in the company. In national political affairs Mr. Cate is a Republican; in local matters, however, he maintains a non-partisan attitude, being always ready and anxious to work for the best interests of Marysville and Yuba County.
On May 18, 1910, Mr. Cate was united in marriage with Miss Florence Womack, of Placer County, a native daughter. Two children have blessed this union, Mildred and Maxine. Mr. Cate is a member of Apache Tribe, No. 148, Independent Order of Red Men.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 976
CAY NELSON MARDERS
A general contractor whose known determination never to finish a commission except in the right way has proven quite as enviable an asset as his wide and practical experience, is Cay Nelson Marders, of Marysville. Fortunate in starting life as a native son, he has grown more and more in sympathy with Californian institutions, giving him, at times, a decided advantage in meeting the conditions peculiar to the pushing and exacting Golden State. He was born at Santa Rosa on February 24, 1857, the son of Anderson and Emma (Burton) Marders. His father was an early pioneer in California, having come out to the Coast in 1848. He returned East, and then came back in 1852; and once more going back to his old home, he brought with him his wife and three children, each time crossing the great plains, at a time when it took plenty of courage and demanded much foresight to make the journey safely and successfully. He was a carpenter, and was known for the finish and the honesty of his work. Both parents are now deceased, the father having died in 1872, and the mother, in 1887.
Cay Marders went to the schools of Yolo County, whither the family moved when he was seven months old; and later he attended the schools in Colusa County. Growing up, he engaged with his brother in the sheep business, but always having lived near, and often worked in, a carpenter shop, he returned to carpenter work, and when he came to Marysville, in 1907, he was ready to do important contract work, having already done much successful contracting at Colusa. He has erected many of the finer residences in and around Marysville, and has been successful in his operations here, the dependable character of his work meeting the approval of his patrons everywhere. He belongs to the Builders’ Exchange, in which he is a live member.
In Colusa County, Mr. Marders was married to Miss Minnie Sherer, a native daughter of Colusa; and their fortunate marriage has been blessed with the gift of several children: Maurice, who saw patriotic service as a soldier in France; Mabel, now Mrs. Charles; Joseph, who was a ship-yard worker; and George and Mildred. There is one grandchild, Thomas Charles. Mr. Marders is a member of Meridian Lodge No. 182, F. & A.M., where he was made a Mason; and he is also a member of Colusa Chapter, R.A.M.
History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p. 976-979