The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-08
O 81 r U A r Y.
ZadOc Pratt.


Tne death OF this gentleman, for many years ono
OF the most prominent Of manufacturers and demo-
cratic politicians In this State II announced this
morning. Mr.. Pratt was born ut Stepncntown,
Rensselaer, county, New York. on the 30th OF Oct0-
Der, 1890. His parents were poor and ns edncatior
limited, and az an early age he was thrown upon
his own resources. Industrious and honest, he
successfully fought against poverty and the other
obstacles which stood In his path. When he conn.,
menced life Mr.. Pratt had no means whatever
Selecting the business Of a tanner ne went to work.,
In humble way at first, but finally On
grand scale. Up IN the Catskill mountains ne
established tanncry, which, by ana by became
famous for the leather 1t produced. In 1S45, when
it was closed, it was vast AFFAIR, situated In tho
midst of the village or Pratsvlle, named after the
deceased and founded. we may say, by him. Pre-
vious to Its close, says one authority. Mr. Pratrf
establishment had tanned moro than one million
sides OF leather And not only was the quantity
great, nut the quality OF the work was also admira-
BILE. Indeed while the proprietor conducted the
business he devoted his entire attention TO 1T
hence his success IN this branch OF tne mecnanid
arts.
Not only rs a tanner ala Mr.. Pratt make reputa4
ton. All detects CT early education-or hack OF edu'
catlon-he removed by private study and uppllca-
ton. man oi ability ana integrity gen id ana
companionaolc, y was natural that nc should be-
come popular with his DeighJurs anu fellow citizens.
lie entered into politics under favorable auspices.
an advocate Of the principles OF the democratc
party IN 1923 he received his first Office, when he
was elected Il colonel or militia-not u very I'M
por;ant position nowadays, perhaps, but one highly,
anu then QS3JI Mr.. Pratt vna introduced INTO new
sphere ~ political usefulness beng then elected to
the state senate. SIX years later us3Jl he was
chosen one or me Presidential electors from New
York, and as such. voted FOR Martin Van Buren,,
who was elected. During the same year he was
elected a Representative IN Congress. On the expi-
ration OF his term he declined denomination, but
in 49, nc ~as again candidate anu was once more
eleciei, "a district too, at that time generally
carried by the wings. aIr. Pratrs Congressional
career was ignly honorable. IL was not tnat OF an
ofalor, uaI IL was that oil "a working member. Mr..
Pratts Efforts directed In favor OF reduction
IN the rates OF postage. His plans for the Post
once buildings were those adopted, and he
originated the Bureau Of statistics, recognized
to be one Of the most valuable departments Of tho
government.
The private career OF the deceased was as marKeds
by usefulness ls his Official one. lie labored encr-
getcaliy to build up his section OF the State He
founded or aided many socicties-some charitable,
othcrs ior the dissemination OF knowiedge-and his
devotion 10 and enthusiasm for THESE and for other
Of personal inconvenience Tor he was The president
or many oi them frequently az one time. tie estaD-
lished newspaper and q bank al Prattsvie, and
aided In other ways III extending the literary acii.
ties OF the people ana their commerce.
In 1852 Air. Pratt held MS last onicfa position, be-
ing in that year chosen Presidential eeciOr tho
Pierce ticket. lie WAS also delegate TO the Balrf-
more Convention OF 1862 aud represented his dis
tricL in numerous other democratic conventions.
Entering into political lie democrat he re-
NAMED one 'of the straitest Sect to the day Of
his death--a regular true bnc who believed IN
every plank OF the democratic PLATFORM
Nearly eighty years earth was vouchsafed Mr..
Pratt. lie lived far beyond the allotted age or man.
In the long evening OF his lile honored and re-
spected for his upriyhtness and integrity by all
knew him; looked up To with veneralon and graft-
tide py the many whom his counsel or charity
he,riended the old tanner OF the Catskl Mountalns
must have looked death fearessiy IN the lace
scious that ne had done his duty In the hcsh; ana
had naugnt TO appreneud and every thing hope
Tor III the world 10 come.