In 1849, he was the founder of a pressed glass manufacturing company in partnership with two English immigrants, Mason and Gaffer Teasdale.
By 1851, they were low on funds and took on Amory Houghton as an investor, incorporating as the Bay State Glass Company.
Their appeal proposed that, in the midst of Civil War, a Union ticket should prevail over the regular Republican candidate.
Cate served through the first regular session of the 1862 legislative term, but resigned abruptly in May 1862 to return to Massachusetts.
He returned to his glass business, which saw a significant increase in demand for military and medical equipment due to the Civil War.