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Abstract Samuel McDowell Tate (September 6, 1830- June 25, 1897) born in Morganton, NC, was described as a “quiet, old-fashioned Jeffersonian Democrat; sound, logical, practical, and worthy to be carefully considered.” (The Legislative Biographical Sketchbook of 1883.) After his father, who had represented Burke County in both houses of North Carolina’s General Assembly, died in 1836, Samuel attended private schools in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. After graduating, he was successful in...