Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-09
X-CONGREsSMAN
L CAGE PRATT
DIES OF AP0PLEXy
tCont,nued from First Page,

aver after his defeat for reelection by
William H. Wiley, Republican. in
1909.
The funeral will be held Saturday al
Q O'Clock from the home of his cousin,
Mrs. Il. H. Colvin, al IS North Maple
avenue, East Orange. The Rev. Fret
c. Baldwin, of the Calvary Methodist
Church., of East Orange, will officiate
and a delegation of New Jersey con-
gressmen aud ex-congressmen will at
tend.
Born in Sterling, Mass.
Mr.. Pratt was born December ID,
1853, at Sterling, Mass. He ATTENDED
the public schools In his native State
until he was 16 years old, and then
entered the sines5 world and became
connected with various enterprises In.
Boston, and later in Chicago. At the
age of 81 years he became a news
pap writer. remaining in the profess
sion for two years, when he entered
tl.e life insure nee field. where he made
The most brillian. iccess of his entil e
business career.
Young Pratt's promotion in this field
was rapid. He had nor been in the
service long h fore was sent TO
Texas as the special agent for his COM
| 1any to 'ork that hitherto unde-
| yeloped territory. lie won his spurs
there, and was promoted TO the gene. al
agency of Illinois, in command of a
.arge organization of men. In 1895 the
fe Insurance Clearing Company of
st. Paul. attracted the splendid
work he wa doing. appointed him
- - pax, IIl{naiz anA uYI{rLlu q l.
lowed this by calling him to the home
office in ST. Paul, Mimi.
There he was placed In general
charge OF tho company's entire agency
force, his title being general super n
tendent of agencies. He remained
there until August, 1897, when tie
! Mutual Bennett Life Insurance Cons
pany, OF this city. in quest of a live
man to become their superintendent of
agencies. engaged him and brought
him East. For six years he held this
office, or until his promotion to the
second vlce-presldency of the company
Elected to Congress.
MIR. Pratt remained vice president OF
the Mutual Benefit until August, 1877,
when he retired. In the meantime h
had been lie, ted to Congress- from the
Eighth district by a plurality of nearly
5000 votes over the Republican candi-
date, Henry j. Gottlob, although the
district had given q Republican piu
rality of 1900 votes at the previous
election. in 1904. Congressman Pratt
vas retired at the end of his term, IN
1909. failing of reelection
Mr.. Pratt came from a family which
distinguished itself during the Revo u
tionary War. His great-grandfathol
was officer in the Continental army
and fought throughout the en- Ire
struggle. from Bunker Hill to York.
town. The grandfather was a colone'
0e the Home Guards" His father en-
tired the Federal army during the
Civil War, and was promoted severn
times, retiring at the close of the wal
as major
He was married in San Antonio. Tex
His wife was related to many promt'
nent Southern families, and hetamt
actively identified with the social llf,
of the Oranges upon coming North.
Mr.. Pratt was a lifelong Democrat
and. took a leading part in his party
councils. notwithstanding h hi !
honor it conveyed, his election to Con
gress was a sacrifice, as his life as {
member of the business world broueh
him far greater emolument and eas'
than that of a statesman He wa
always ready to serve his party, and
like his forefathers, his country, 81
when the call for his nomination be
J came insistent he accepted the trust.