Sterling G. Cato Explained

Sterling G. Cato (c. 1807 – October 24, 1867)^[1] was an American attorney and jurist who served as an associate judge of the Supreme Court of the Kansas Territory.

Early life

Cato was born in Alabama. He and his brother, Lewis Llewellen Cato, were both lawyers. Both lived in Eufaula, Alabama, until Sterling Cato moved to Kansas.^[2]

Career

On September 13, 1855, Cato was nominated as a judge of the Supreme Court of the Kansas Territory by President Franklin Pierce, and took office on September 13, 1855.^[3] succeeding Judge Rush Elmore. During his time on the court, Cato was known to hold strongly pro-slavery views.^[4]

In 1856, Cato issued arrest warrants for John Brown, Sr. and many of his followers for their role in the Pottawatomie massacre.^[5]

On October 20, 1857, Cato ordered Governor Robert John Walker to accept the election of many pro-slavery candidates to the Kansas State Legislature; however, because of the election fraud that occurred with non-residents voting in the election, Walker refused to follow the order.

Cato left the court on October 13, 1858; judge Rush Elmore, also his predecessor, became his successor.

Later life and death

After leaving the court, Cato moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and entered private practice.

Cato died on October 24, 1867, in Liberty, Missouri.^{[1] [6]}

Notes and References

1. "Judge S. C. Cato", Kansas City Journal (October 27, 1867), p. 4.
2. Book: Brewer . Willis . Alabama: her History, Resources, War Record, and Public Men. From 1540 to 1872. . 1872 . Barrett & Brown . Montgomery, Alabama, United States of America . 131 . 11 January 2024 . en.
3. Book: Templar . George . Smith . Joan Templar . Templar . Ted M. . Logan . James . The Federal Courts of the Tenth Circuit: A History . 1992 . U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit . 18, 532 . https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=mct-ztnxWMkC&pg=GBS.PA14&hl=en . 11 January 2024 . en . Chapter II - Kansas: The Territorial and District Courts.
4. Book: Blackmar . Frank Wilson . Kansas; A Cyclopedia of State History, Embracing Events, Institutions, Industries, Counties, Cities, Towns, Prominent Persons, Etc. . 1912 . Standard Publishing Company . Chicago, Illinois, United States of America . 300 . 11 January 2024 . en.
5. Web site: Kansas Territory, U.S. District Court versus John Brown Sr., Owen Brown, Frederick Brown, Salmon Brown, Oliver Brown, et al. - Kansas Memory . Kansas Memory . Kansas Historical Society . 11 January 2024.
6. News: Local . 11 January 2024 . Liberty Tribune . NewspaperArchive.com . 25 October 1867 . Liberty, Missouri . 3 . en.