The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1907-10-08
Col, John A. Prall.

Col. John A. Frall, ST., died at
Danville last Wednesday evening.
after long illness of paralysis. The
Danville Advocate has the following
notice of him:
"Col. Prall was about 81 years of
age, and had been in feeble health for
a number of years. Before and curing
the CivilsWar he was one of the most
prominent lawyers in the State, en-
joyed a large and lucrative practice at
Paris, his home.
Just before the commencement of
the Civil War he was elected Senator
from the Bourbon district and took
leading part in the legislation during
that stormy period in the history of our
country. He was firm and unfalter-
ing Union man and as a member of the
Upper House of the Kentucky Legisla-
ture combatted the proposition that
Kentucky cast her lot with the Confed-
eracy, a measure that failed of success
through the efforts of himself and
others who stood with him against
! Governor Beriah MagOffin and those of
strong Southern feelings who wanted
the State to go with the South.
1.-The greatest speech of his life was
made by Col. Prall in the Senate
against the secession of Kentucky from
the Union. He was for the Union
right or wrong, and his speech had
powerful effect lin holding Kentucky
| firm in the ranks.
Unlike many of the Union men
who servedin the Legislature with him
at that time, many of whom quit the
Republican party when Abraham Lin
coin issued the proclamation of free
dom to the negroes, Col. Prall stood
firmly as a Republican.
'Col. Prall was a native of Woodford
county. and after reaching manhood
settled at Paris, KY, where he studio d
law with Major George w. Williams,
the grandfather ,Of General Roger d.
! Williams, of Lexington. Major Will
liams was a fine lawyer and a gentle
man of the old school, noted for his
great urbanity and elegance of man.
ner. The late Col. A. M. Swope also
studied law with him. Col. Prall was
graduate of Centre College, Danville.
After beginning pactice, Col. Prali
married Miss Mamie Williams, a
daughter of his law preceptor, by
whom he had four children now living,
Lottie, who married L. Hamilton Me-
Coy, now of New York City Freddie,
who married Harvey Littell, of Brook
Ign, N. Y, John Prall, Jr., cashier of
bank at Perrvyille, KY, and Mrs.
Marie Newman, of this city.
Several years after the close of the
Civil War, Col. Prali moved to Lexing-
ton, residing there for a number of
years. He purchased the residence, on
South Limestone street, now occupied
by Prof. Miller. In looking up the
deeds to some adjacent property Col.
Prall discovered quite a tract that still
belonged to the State. having never
been covered by an ancient patent
He at once filed claim on this vacant
land and obtained patent for it, pay
ing for it S1.25 an acre. the old State
price. Dividing the land into lots and
selling them, he founded that portion
of Lexington now know as PraIltown.
Two of the streets he named for men,
bers of his family; Winnie street for
his wife's sister, Miss Winnie Williams,
and Lottie street for his eldest daugh-
ter. During the 70's Col. Prall was
United States Assessor for the Licking
ton District, and later was made Unit
ed States Pension Agent, both of
which offices he filled with marked
ability and satisfaction to ALL
Nineteen years. ago Col. Prall re-
moved to Danville, where he resided
till his death. The remains will be
taken to Lexington for burial this
afternoon. His daughters in New
York have been wired and should they
not reach Lexington Thursday the in
terment will be postponed until Friday.
The funeral services were held at
the Baptist church at IL o'clock this
morning by DR.. w. L. Dorgan. He
had been a member of the Baptist
church for IS years.
The remains Of Col. Prall will be
laid to rest beside his wife, who died
IN December, 1896. The pail bearers
will be W. j. Price, C. C.sBagby, John
b. Nichols, William Harris, H. L.
Briggs and John c. Voris."
I M