Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-01-12

private life held many important po-
sitions. His grandfather, jor James
Estabrook, was born in Warren r. l.,
came to BrattleborC when he was
four years old and obtained the rank of
major in the local militia. In his early
boyhood Mr.. Pratt lived on a farm and
attended the public schools. Between
the ages of 10 and q he was employed
in a market which his father establish
ed in town. Then he took a position as
clerk in the store of Wheeler & Pratt
dry goods and groceries, continuing in
their employ until the firm was dis
solved in 1850. He then became a mem
Der of the firm of Pratt, Wheeler e. Co.,
of which his brother, Lucius G.. Pratt,
was senior member. This partnership
continued four years. the business en-
braeing dry goods, millinery goods and
groceries, and the sales for the last year
aggregated 100000.
Because of the constantly increasing
trade a change in the conduct of the
business was necessary in order that the
different lines of goods could be car
ried in greater variety and in separate
stocks. o. j. Pratt now the senior mer-
chant in Bratteboro, in point both of
age and of years in business, assumed
the dry goods and millinery depart
ments, subsequently dropping the mil
linery department but continuing in the
dry goods business in which he still is
engaged. The partnership of D. S. Pratt
& Co. was formed to conduct custom
and ready made clothing business. This
partnership was dissolved in 1860, and
the firm of Pratt Wright q Coz was
formed, which continued in the general
clothing trade until 1873
Besides these activities Mr.. Pratt en-
gagged extensively in farming and -he
breeding of horses, Shorthorn cattle and
Southdown sheep His farm was one of
the most productive and best managed
in Vermont and his stock commanded
prices which were not exceeded any
where in the state. He exported few
cattle to England, but the majority of
them We're sold to go south and west.
Cattle raising in all this section was i'm
proved materially by animals which he
bred, He sold to Robert Holloway of
Illinois the finest COW that ever stood
in that state, and one bull which he and
the Winslows, prominent stockmen in
Putney, owned, he sold for $4,000.
In 1879 Mr.. Pratt was elected chair
man of the board of selectmen, serving
the town with marked ability. For
long time he was connected with the
Vermont Savings bank in an official ca
pacity, and as a member of the board
of investment he brought to bear his
wide knowledge of real estate values in
the West, where he handled property for
himself and others. He became inter-
ested with others in the Vermont Live
Stock company in 1884, and served as
vice president and president At one
time this company did a profitable bust
ness.
Mr.. Pratt rendered valuable service in
recruiting Company B, 10th Vermont
regiment, several of the enlisted men re-
ceiving substantial aid from him in OBJ
tanning their outfit, while he contributed
literally toward the support of their
families during their absence. Although
he did not enlist in the war; at the close
of the struggle he was made quarter
master of the LIST Vermont regiment of
the national guard, serving until hon
orably discharged He did not aspire for
political honors, but always was a
staunch Republican. Since retiring from
business in 1873 he had engaged extern
siVely in farming and stock breeding,
maintaining an interest in town affairs
as long as his health permitted He
sustained the loss of three barns, valued
at $4SOO, on his premises on Western
avenue July H. 1907, the main barn be-
ing struck by lightning.
On Feb. IA, 1850, Mr.. Pratt married Miss
Caroline p. Hoar, daughter of Edmund
and Betsey (WrighD Hoar of Bedford.
Mass. She had lived in Brattleboro since
the age of IA years Her death took
place March 4, 1896. Six children were
born to Mr.. and Mrs. Pratt, of whom
three survive, Edmund r. Pratt of
i'ioilicbOiO anu new 1OTk, Mary Alice,
widow of Charles w. Durham of Brat :
ueboro, and Walter Stewart Pratt of
Springfield, Mass. The three who
died We're Charles S., Carrie NJ and
Jennie S. Mr.. Pratt also leaves one
brother Oscar j. Pratt of this town.
During the long period of his active
business life, while in the clothing trade,
and afterward while devoting his energies
TO his farm and the breeding and sale of
Shorthorn cattle, Mr.. Pratt was recog-
nized as one of the strong men of the
town, both in financial matters and in
his Judgment of all affairs concerning
the welfare of Bratteboro. He was ac-
lively identified with all of the work of
the Unitarian church, a constant attend
ant on its services and its social enter
prises, and was one of the men whose
earnestness and generosity made IL nos
sible to erect the present beautiful stone
edifice in 1874 and 1875.
The funeral was held in the Unitarian
church Wednesday forenoon at 1870. Rev.
e. @. S, Osgood officiating. Twenty-Five
corpora tors of the Vermont Savings bank
attended the funeral in a body. The
body of Mr.. Pratt was placed in the
tomb in the Prospect Hill cemetery. The
interment will take place in the family
lot In the spring.