William Henderson Cate (November 11, 1839 – August 23, 1899) was an American politician, lawyer and judge.

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

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.

[4] Cate was re-elected for the 19th Arkansas General Assembly, representing the 1st alongside Roderick Joiner, Hiram McVeigh, and F.W.

In 1888, Cate ran as a Democrat for a seat in the U.S. Congress against Lewis Featherstone, a candidate of the Union Labor party.

[8] 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.

[3] While on a visit in Toledo, Ohio, Cate died of cancer on August 23, 1899 (age 59 years, 285 days).

[11] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress