Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-15
ENocH PRATTs CAREER
Baltimors's wsll-Knovn = PBhilanthropist Said
to Be Dying.
Started as a Clerk and When He Got
Money He Tried to Do Good
With 1t.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
BALTIMORE, Md, September 49, 1896.
Mr.. Enoch Pratt, the founder of the
Enoch Pratt Free Library of Baltimore.
and who is said to be the Oldest living bank
president in the United States, Is critically
Ill with ailments incident to old age, and
the announcement of his death at any time
would not be surprise to his family and
friends. Mr.. Pratt on the 10th instant
reached the ripe age of lightweight years.
Mr.. Pratt has always been 80 averse to
nctoriety that no history Of his life has
ever been published. The account which
follows was, however. obtained from
gentleman who has long been acquainted
with the eminent financier, and the facts
stated were given by Mr.. Pratt himself to
the gentleman referred to in conversations
which took place from time to time.
Mr. Pratt" said the informant OF The
star reporter, was born in North Middle
boro' Mass in 1908. and was the son of Isaac
and Naomi Keith Pratt. His fathers rec
ord ana that of his ancestors is we'll known
In the north. He graduated at the Bridge
was bright. energetic boy characterized
by hopefulness and firm resolves, and in
sPlred by an honest and fearless ambition.
Even two weeks before he closed his term
an intimate friend of his family in Boston
to obtain for him as coon as possible good
place IN a wholesale dry goods house.
Began as a Clerk.
"A position was soon secured for him in
a hrst-class house In Boston, where he re-
NAMED until he was twenty-one years of
age. In this place he had the benefits of
the old-fashioned training in business Pc
cullar to Boston. His unexceptionable hab-
Its and tireless application to business; his
quick perception Of what was right and
tegrity; the simplicity of his methods and
his unbounded confidence in the value of
common sense, and In the results of legiti-
mate industry, gave him an early reputa-
tlon 1or sound Judgment of far greater
Falue imam the possession of money.
In 1881 Mr.. Pratt removed to Baltimore
and established himself as a commission
merchant He founded the wholesale iron
houses OF Pratt & Keith and Enoch Pratt
& Brother. which consisted, until the death
OF MT Henry James few years ago, of
Enoch Pratt and Henry James. No firms
were ever more successful, though much
OF the time of Mr.. Pratt has for many
years been given to Industrial enterprises
OF public nature and to financial institu-
tons.
Held Important Offices.
Mr.. Pratt has been director and presi-
dent of the National Farmers and Planters
Bank for about ffty-fve years. was the
first president of the Baltimore Clearing
House Association, and served as such for
many years. retiring about one year ago,
after having positively declined to be again
Reelected; has been vice president and a
member OF the board of directors of the
philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
Railroad Company for more than thirty
seven years; is one of the largest holders
of the stock of the Seaboard Air Line Rail-
70 o1N ID
Line Of steamers: is the owner of a very
large interest In the Baltimore, Chesapeake
and Atlantic Transportation Company, q
director OF the Savings Bank of Baltimore
and OF numerous other institutions.
with an expanding heart, beyond the
selfish calls of the mere ambition FOR gain,
he has ever manifested a DECD interest in
the cause of education. religion, reform and
charlty and tn public improvements. He
mas extended much time and money in
supporting such Institutions, and always
with cheerful spirit.
His Charitable Work.
HE is now president of the House of
Reformation and instruction for Colored
Children. at Cheltenham, Prince Georges
county, Md. and of the Maryland School
for the Deaf and Dumb, at Frederick,
which was started by his energy and
means. and but for his liberality and per-
severance the institution at Cheltenham
with deep concern that there were numer-
Gus colored children swarming the streets
of Baltimore, homeless and friendless and
abandoned to grow up in idleness and vice,
and he donated 40 acres of his farm prop
erty as site, and with the aid of few
kindred spirits the institution was estab-
lished.
Mr.. Pratt has lived to see more than
1000 poor colored children made happy and
prepared to be useful members of society
by their attendance at the school at Chei-
tenham. He has always taken a lively in
terest in the Maryland Institution for the
made 1t some costly gifts.
AS the treasurer Of the Peabody Insti-
tute Mr.. Pratt was highly complimented by
the late George Peabody, its founder. as
one Of the ableSt fnanciers he had ever
Known.
An Office of Public Trust.
I'm 1877 Mr.. Pratt, though republican.
was unanimously elected by democratic
council one of the two finance commits
sioners of the city of Baltimore, a post of
great honor and responsibility, and he was
reelected year after year. until he, a few
years ago, declined on account of adyanc-
Ing years to serve any longer.
while serving as finance commissioner
his services proved to be invaluable in the
management of the financial affairs of the
city, and his withdrawal from Office was
attended with many marks of regret on
the part OF the mayor and city council.
although Mr.. Pratt has always been an
acute observer of men and events and until
his present illness took q lively and in
telligent interest in politics and legisla-
ton, particularly when the general wei
fare was involved, he never manifested
any desire for. Office.
HE has been approached to be q candi-
date for Congress, for governor of the
state and for mayor of the city and for
other offices, but he has declined all posi-
lions that give mere distinction or honor
and with but few opportunities for useful
ness. He is ever prompt to be useful. hut
he is opposed to the mere display of pride.
I'm regard to Mr.. Pratts religious views
it may be said that he belongs to the pro-
gressive school He is an eclectic, believing
in the rule of God and finding good in ali
things. He is an active member of the
Unitarian Society Of Baltimore. but he
looks for a mans religion in his deeds.
The Free Library.
"1n 1888 Mr.. Pratt gave notice to the
city government Of Baltimore of his pur-
pose to establish a. free circulating library.
to be called the Enoch Frat Free Library
of Baltimore City, on certain conditions of.
cooperation on the partsof the city. which
were promptly and officially accented He