Bio: David W. Pratt, Webster Par., Louisiana Source:Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 Submitted by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** === ===David W. Pratt, sheriff, Minden, La. This prominent and very popular official was born on July 4, 1846, in what is now Webster Par., Louisiana., and his father, Luther Pratt, was a native of the Bay State. The elder Pratt was a well-educated gentleman, and when a young man emigrated to Louisiana, locating in what is now Webster Parish. Soon after he was elected district clerk and served in that capacity for a number of years. He married here a New York lady, Miss Delisa Rathburn, who was reared and educated in New York, but who was a teacher in Louisiana, prior to her marriage. After serving as clerk for several years Mr. Pratt engaged in merchandising at Overton and followed this business at that place and Minden for a number of years. Subsequently he moved to Homer, resided there for a few years, and then returned to Minden, where his death occurred in 1855. His widow died in January, 1888. Of the three sons and four daughters born to this union, all of whom grew to mature years, our subject and two sisters are the only survivors. The eldest son, Ed E. was one of the first to join the army for the Confederate cause, and he died in Virginia in 1861, soon after enlisting. Hon. Clarence Pratt, the second son grew to manhood in Webster Par., Louisianaand was a man of superior mental endowments. He was elected and served one term in the Legislature, and is said to have been on of its brightest and most active members. He died in Texas in 1869, when in his prime. Fanny, one of the sisters, died when a young woman, and Helen, who is now deceased, was the former wife of Ex-Senator John C. Vane, of New Orleans. Her death occurred in 1887. Belle is the wife of Dr. Vance, of Minden, and Alice is the wife of W. A. Sugg, also of Minden.