- TATE, HON. SAMUEL LIVINGSTON, of Grand Haven, Michigan, was
born in Leeds,
- England, January 14, 1839. He is the son of Henry and Elizabeth
(HAIGH) TATE. His father is of Scotch heritage, and his mother
is a direct descendant of one of the French Huguenots who fled
to England to escape the Catholic persecution. His parents emigrated
to this country in 1842, and settled in Leyden, Franklin County,
Massachusetts. Feeble health and loss of property obliged his
father to practice the greatest economy in rearing his family
of nine children. Mr. TATE, until he was fourteen, attended the
common school in winter; helped his father make boots and shoes
after school hours, and, in summer, worked for the neighboring
farmers. His only opportunities for study and reading were occasional
spare hours in the evening. In 1853 the family moved to Peru,
La Salle County, Illinois, where Mr. TATE was employed for two
years on the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad. He afterwards
worked on a farm, until the fall of 1861. His desire for an education
increased as he grew older; and, upon reaching his majority,
he went to Wheaton University, where he remained until he had
passed through the sophomore year. In order to meet expenses,
he taught school at intervals, sold books, and engaged in other
various occupations. He passed his junior year at Adrian College;
and, in 1869, graduated from Albion College. Having, meanwhile,
studied law, he received his degree of LL. B. at the University
of Chicago the same year. The following day, he was admitted
to the bar by the Supreme Court of Illinois. He began the practice
of his profession at Evansville, Rock County, Wisconsin, in the
fall, but removed, in 1870, to Grand Haven, Michigan. During
the last year of the late Rebellion, he served, as Orderly Sergeant,
in a regiment of Illinois volunteers. In 1871 he was Circuit
Court Commissioner and Injunction Master for Ottawa County. In
1872 he was elected Judge of Probate for the same county; and,
on the expiration of his term of office in 1876, was unanimously
renominated and re-elected. In 1874 he was appointed to the Common
Council of Grand Haven to succeed Clark B. Albee, deceased. Mr.
TATE was a disciple of such men as Greeley, Snmner, and Lovejoy
; and sought the first opportunity to engage in the conflict
between freedom and slavery. He was a zealous worker in the first
election of Abraham Lincoln, and has since been an active Republican.
In 1872 he was a delegate to the Republican State Convention,
and was there nominated a delegate to the National Convention
at Philadelphia. In 1861 he joined the Congregational Church.
He took an active part in re-organizing the Grand Haven Congregational
Church, and in erecting its present beautiful house of worship.
He has since been a trustee and deacon, and has several times
been elected a delegate to the General Association. He married,
June 16, 1869,— the day before he graduated from Albion
College,— Frances Belle WILCOX, of Coral, Illinois, a member
of the junior class of the same college. They have three children.
-
- [Taken from "American Biographical History of Eminent
and Self-Made Men of Michigan" by F. A. Barnard; (c)1878
Western Biographical Publishing Co., Cincinnati, OH; pp. 122-123]
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