Gersham W. Tate was born Nov. 12, 1830 or 1831 in Greene County, Tennessee to Robert B. and Susannah (Doan) Tate. He married Harriet Nancy McLin of Linn Co., MO on Nov. 29, 1852 in Sullivan Co., MO. To this union was born 11 children including: David A., Lee, Robert, Melissa E., Ruth A., Susan E., Mary, Clara, William, Walter, and John B.