The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-05-14

by President Monroe and entered upon
his duties at old St Stephens.
To write of Autauga county or OF
Prattville without presenting sketch
of the founder of the latter, and the
genius which discovered the spot upon
which to plant the first seed of manufae-
turing wealth for the state, and who
did plant. cultivate and cause it to frucu-
fy abundantly would render the story In
complete. I refer to Daniel Pratt who
was the most distinguished citizen of all
this section, and who. dying. left his
impress here and an inheritance to all the
boys of the land of an example worthy
of emulation.
A New Hampshirean by BIRTH he be-
came an Alabamian by adoption. Hav-
ing served an apprenticeship as a car
penter at an early age. he came south at
the age of q and labored at his trade
for fourteen years in Georgia He came
to Alabama in 1888 and began the con-
struction of cotton gins by his own
skilled hands. He soon observed the wa
ter power of Autauga creek, and leas-
ing the power at one point began In
earnest the manufacturing of gins 1t
was in 1910 that he came to this point,
laid the foundation Of Prattville, built
his gin factory and cotton factory, then
added a flour mill, a wool factory sash,
door and blind factory, an iron foundry,
lumber mills, etc.
These labors brought Daniel Pratt into
public notice and in 1S47 the state uni
verslty conferred upon him the degree or
Master of Mechanical and Usefur Arts
as "a token of respect and honor felt
by the trustees in common with reflect
ing men in every station, for that high
degree of intelligence, benevolence, up
| Brightness and success which you have
! exercised and displayed as the letter OF
| President .nanley expressed it, A biog-
rapher of Mr.. Pratt said of him 1.-The
state has fostered the genius of many,
! but Mr.. Pratt has nourished the resources
| of the state. AS a practical utilitarien
| he has no rival in Alabama, and but few
anywhere" Writing Of him Rev. Basil
| Manly said:
"He has attained in an iminent degree
that which is the end OF all letters and
| all study. the art of making men around
! him wiser, better and happier He has
shown in substantial manner that he
values and knows how to promote the
Industrial and commercial virtues among
men, rendering his own intelligence ant
bounty a blessing to all that come within
the sphere of his influence"
Mr.. Pratt was we'll known for his piety
integrity and hospitality. He died in
1S7,
Works Are His Monument.
Not only the monument of marble that
! lifts its shaft heavenward, from the hill
that overlooks the handy-work of Daniel
| Pratt, but the works themselves. stand
today as monuments to his genius and
the sounds of the machinery, the rolling
ripping waters Of Autauga creek, and
the hurrying of the busy throng are daily
reminders Of that busy and useful spirit
which came to lift up, and to develop a
people and a state he loved so we'll
There IS such substantial look about
the great building Of these works at
Prattville Nothing shoddy, nothing cheap
J All as strong, as stately and as impos-
ing as when erected under the manage
lpent Of Daniel Pratt over half cen.
fury ago
Overlooking the beautiful lake form.
ed by the dam, with grassy lawn ant
under the shade of sweet-scented bloom
| ing magnolas, stands today In perfec
order the grand colonial home planned
and built by the founder OF Prattville
This s-today the home occupied by th'
| present Daniel Pratt, and well indeed
Goes he guard and care for the rich in
hertance left him by his granduncle.