E. C. Pate, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Dyer County in 1830, and is a son of Matthew and J. (Milliken) Pate. The father was a farmer, and died in Dyer County in 1834. His widow died about ten years late. Mrs. Pate was married to Stephen Pate previous to her marriage with Matthew Pate. They were brothers. Of a family of three children, our subject is the only one living. He was educated in the schools of his neighborhood and attended school for two sessions in Dyersburg. At the age of eighteen he began clerking in a drug store in Dyersburg, and continued that occupation for about two years and a half. In 1851 he began keeping a grocery store in partnership with E. G. Smith, but sold out in about a year. Mr. Pate was then elected constable and served in that capacity and as deputy sheriff for several years. February 25, 1858, he married Lucy Pierce, who was born in Norfolk, Va., April 17, 1833, daughter of Luther and Elizabeth Pierce. She was brought to Dyer County, Tenn., when an infant. Here the father died in 1847, and the mother in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Pate have five children: Bettie, Sarah Lou (Mrs. J. D. Kirkpatrick), Mary Maggie, E. C. and Annie Lee. After marriage Mr. Page began farming, but in 1866 moved to Dyersburg, where he has since resided. In the fall of 1867 he resumed the grocery business, but gave it up at the end of three years. In 1870 he was elected magistrate and filled that office four years, when he was elected trustee of Dyer County, and was re-elected. The last two years he served as trustee and tax collector combined. After his term of office had expired he resumed the grocery business, but sold out in 1873. Since that time he has farmed. He owns 320 acres of land north of Dyersburg and 50 acres where he resides. He is a man much esteemed for his many sterling business and social qualities, and bears an unblemished reputation. He is a demitted member of the I.O.O.F. and a Democrat in politics. His wife died May 26, 1874, and since then his daughters have kept house for him.