BIO: Pratt Family; Buffalo, Erie co., NY.

Transcribed by W. David Samuelsen

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MEMORIAL AND FAMILY HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY NEW YORK
VOLUME I, BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL, ILLUSTRATED, PUB. 1906-8

THE PRATT FAMILY. For more than a century the Pratt family with which this
sketch is concerned has held a place of central prominence in the annals of
Buffalo. In that community the distinctions attaching to the name of Pratt are
multifold, and include the honors which belong to pioneer hardihood, soldierly
courage, industrial enterprise, civic service and social leadership.

The name Pratt is derived from the Latin Pratum, a meadow, its etyniology
being referred to in the motto “Rident Florentia Prata” - ”The flourishing
meadows smile” - found in the emblazonry of Pratt of Ryston Hall, Norfolk,
England. With changes due to the difference of languages the name appears as
that of several persons in France and the south of Europe, notably of one
possessing the barony of Pratella, near Rouen, France, whose lord, in 1066, is
found on the Roll of Battle Abbey as accompanying William the Conqueror at the
battle of Hastings. In 1096 Le Sire De Preaux, whose arms were gules, an eagle
d’or, followed Duke Robert Compte Hare of Normandy in the First Crusade, and
John and William De  Pratelles, brothers, were companions of Richard Coeur de
Lion. The records of the Pratt family appear in almost every  county in
England, but are particularly identified with those of Hertford and Norfolk.
In the former, about 1538, lived Thomas Pratt of Baldock. His son Andrew was
the father of  the Rev. William Pratt, whose son John was the founder of  the
Pratt family in America. The date when John Pratt came to the Puritan Colonies
is not settled, but he was in this country as early as 1639. He was one of the
original proprietors of Hartford, Conn.; his sons were John and Daniel. John
Pratt (2d), eldest son of John and Elizabeth Pratt, was born about 1638. He
was several times chosen for public office. He was twice married, his first
wife having been Hannah Boosey, and his second Hepzibah Wyatt. Jonathan Pratt,
son of John Pratt (2d) and Hepzibah Wyatt, was born in Hartford, Conn., in
1683, and died there in 1755. Aaron Pratt, son of Jonathan and Mary (Benton)
Pratt, settled in Westminster, Vt. In 1757 he married Mary Clark, of East
Hartford, by whom he had six children. Aaron Pratt died in Buffalo, February
9, 1807, and his widow died in the same city, November 20, 1809.

CAPT. SAMUEL PRATT, fourth child of Aaron and Mary Pratt, was an important
figure in the pioneer epoch of Buffalo, having been one of the founders of the
city. Capt. Pratt had an interesting and eventful career. He was a typical
frontiersman, a gallant soldier of the Revolutionary War, an able business
man.

Capt. Pratt was born in East Hartford, Conn., and was still a child when his
parents removed to Westminster, Vt. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War
he responded to the call to arms and on July 10, 1775, enlisted in the 3d
Company, 8th Regiment, Huntington’s brigade. Originally stationed on Long
Island Sound, the brigade was ordered by General Washington to Boston Camps,
where Capt. Pratt accompanied his cornmand, taking post at Roxbury, Mass.,
with Gen. Spencer's brigade. Here he remained until the expiration of his term
of service, being honorably discharged December 14, 1775. Capt. Pratt again
enlisted July 2, 1777, in Capt. John Harmon's Company, 4th Regiment,
Connecticut Line, and went into camp at Peekskill. In September the command
was ordered to join Washington's army in Pennsylvania. The regiment marched in
the Connecticut brigade under Gen. McDougal, and Capt. Pratt participated in
the battle of Germantown, and took part in the defense of Fort Muffin. 1801
Capt. Pratt went to Montreal, and as the head of an expedition there organized
made his way through the Canadian forests to Buffalo. With rare foresight he
immediately became convinced of the future greatness of this Western town. In
1804 he journeyed to his former home in New England in a coach which was the
first carriage ever seen in Erie County. Capt. Pratt brought his family to
Buffalo and threw himself heartily into the life and interests of the place.
He was a man of boundless energy and business enterprise, and he established a
store, built extensively and took a leading part in all matters of public
improvement. For many years his store was the principal rendezvous of the
Indians, and there they did a large share of their trading. From them Capt.
Pratt received two significant titles, "Aegurrigu" - and "honest dealer, and
"Hohamdoah" - "merciful man.”

About the year 1785 Capt. Pratt married Esther Wells, who was born in
Hatfield, Mass., April 20, 1766, and was the daughter of Samuel and Lucy
(Evans) Wells. Mrs. Pratt caine of one of the oldest and best families in New
England. After the burning of Buffalo in 1813, Mrs. Pratt, who was then a
widow, returned to Westrninster, Vt., with her children and lived in the old
homestead, later returning to Buffalo, where she died in 1830. The death of
Capt. Pratt occurred August 31, 1812. He was beloved and respected by all and
his name stands high in the roll of those who laid the foundations of civic
life in Western New York. He was one of the first to introduce public worship
in Buffalo and was among the pioneers in the cause of education.

SAMUEL PRATT, JR., eldest son of Capt. Samuel Pratt, invites comparison with
his father by his high ideals of citizenship, his military service and
business pursuits and his close identification with the material welfare and
the mental and moral interests of Buffalo.

Samuel Pratt, Jr., was born at Hartford, Conn., in 1787. Early in life he went
to Westminster, Vt., where he engaged in commerce, and when his parents
removed to Buffalo he did not accompany the family, being at that time
occupied in mercantile pursuits at Townsend, Vt. In August, 1807, he came to
Buffalo with his wife and child, where with his father be engaged in business.
However, the son soon retired from commerce that he might be able more
satisfactorily to discharge his duties as Sheriff of Niagara County, to which
office he was appointed in 1810. Later he formed a partnership with Elijah
Leech, his brother-in-law, the firm name being Pratt & Leech.

Upon the outbreak of the War of 1812, Mr. Pratt joined the army and was
appointed Adjutant to Gel. Porter. December 13, 1813, when Buffalo was
attacked by the British and Indians, Adjutant Pratt removed his family to a
place of safety and then went to assist so far as possible in the defence of
the town. At the risk of their lives he and Judge Wilson extinguished the
fires which had been lighted by the savage foe in many buildings, but only to
see them rekindled. Mr. Pratt's watch in the neighborhood of the village
lasted for several days and nights, and some exciting incidents of that
perilous time have come down to us. One night during the season of burning and
pillage, as Mr. Pratt was going to his mother’s farm on horseback, with a Mr.
Tredwell, he caught sight of two Indians skulking behind trees. Mr. Pratt
shouted to his companion to run for his life, but before he could obey the
Indians fired and Tredwell fell dead. Before the savage marksmen could reload
Mr. Pratt made his escape.

In 1806, Samuel Pratt, Jr., married Sophia Fletcher, daughter of Gen. Samuel
Fletcher, who was one of the most distinguished of the early residents of
Vermont, a veteran of the French and Indian War and the War of the Revolution.
He fought at the battle of Bunker Hill, in 1777 marched to the relief of
Ticonderoga, participated in the battle of Bennington, and continued to serve
in th.e army till the defeat of Burgoyne. From Orderly Sergeant he rose to the
rank of MajorGeneral, also serving in many civil offices. The children of
Samuel Pratt, Jr., were Samuel Fletcher, born May 27, 1807; Lucius Hubbard,
born January 6, 1809; Sophia Charlotte, born January 1, 1811, and Pascal
Paoli, born September 15, 1819.

The death of Samuel Pratt, Jr., occurred in Buffalo in 1822. Mrs. Pratt died
March 19, 1862.

Samuel Pratt, Jr., was a man of rather delicate appearance, and polished
address. He was of a retiring disposition, yet had abundance of the spirit of
enterprise. He was greatly esteemed for his integrity, and was a man of marked
benevolence and public spirit.

SAMUEL FLETCHER PRATT was one of the representative members of his family, and
for more than forty years his nai.ne was among’ the most notable in the
business life of Buffalo. He was born in Townsend, Vt., May 28, 1807, being a
son of Samuel Pratt, Jr., and Sophia Fletcher. Soon after his birth, he came
with his parents to Buffalo, where his early life and education were typical
of the conditions of a frontier town. When he was twelve years old, lie went
to Canada as a clerk in a store, where he continued for the next three years.
Returning to Buffalo, in 1822, he entered the hardware store of George and
Thaddeus Weed. In 1828 Mr. Pratt, George Weed and Lucius Storrs formed a
partnership as George Weed & Company. Mr. Weed died in 1828 and in 1829 his
brother Thaddeus succeeded him in the business, which was continued as Weed &
Pratt. In 1836 Mr. Pratt purchased the Weed interest and conducted the
business till 1842, when with his brother Pascal P. Pratt, he established the
well-known hardware house of S. F. Pratt & Company, with which he was for so
many years identified. In 1845 Mr. Pratt and Mr. William P.
Letchwortli founded the firm of Pratt & Letchworth, manufacturers of saddlery
hardware. In 1848 Mr. Pratt was a leathng factor in the organization of the
Buffalo Gas Light Company, and he served as its President to the time of his
death.

Mr. Pratt shunned pubhic office and though often urged to become a candidate
for Mayor, always declined. However he accepted the office of Alderman in 1844
and served the city faithfully. Throughout his career his influence was
strongly felt in civic affairs. During the War of the Rebellion he was
Treasurer of the Citizens’ Conimittee of Three, and rendered valuable
assistance to the Union cause. In 1851 he was one of the founders of the
Buffalo lFeiiiale Academy, was elected its first President and for many years
served as one of its Trustees. Mr. Pratt preserved a devout faith in the
truths of religion, and when eighteen years old joined ‘the First Presbyterian
Church. He was a man of musical culture, and for many years was a member of
the church choir.

In 1835 Mr. Pratt niarried Mary Jane Strong, of Paterson, N. J. Their children
were two daughters, Jeannie (Mrs. Wil11am J. King, Jr.), who died September
24, 1872, and Helen (Mrs. Frank Hamlin), whose death occurred January 27,
1873.

In 1866, Mr. Pratt made an extended European tour, and in 1868 he again went
abroad.

Mr. Pratt died April 27, 1872. In him the community lost one of its pillars.
He was typical of those solid elements of citizenship which go to the
upbuilding of commerce, morals and patriotism.

PASCAL PAOLI PRATT, who died June 18, 1905, was one of Buffalo’s ablest
business men and foremost citizens. As a banker he was a tower of financial
strength in the community; as a manufacturer he stood in the front rank of
those whose strong initiative has made Buffalo a manufacturing center, and in
mercantile enterprise his name was known and respected throughout the country.
In civic interests he was a leading factor, and his well-directed munificence
made him a central figure in the furtherance of religion, culture and moral
progress  Pratt was the youngest son of Samuel Pratt, Jr., and Sophia
Fletcher, and was born in Buffalo, Septembei 15, 1819.

He was educated in the Buffalo public schools, at Hamilton Academy, now
Colgate University, Madison, N Y, and at Amherst Academy. In 1836 Mr. Pratt
began his business career by entering the hardware store of his brother,
Samuel F. Pratt, in Buffalo. After six years’ experience as clerk he was
admitted partner in the business, the concern assuming the firm style of S. F.
Pratt & Co., which in 1846 became Pratt & Co. The business, originally retail,
widened its scope as the years went on, and from modest beginnings developed
into a large and prosperous wholesale hardware enterprise whose trade extended
to various sections of -the country and beyond the Mississippi River. In 1848
Mr. Pratt became a member of the firm of Pratt & Letchworth, which was founded
by him and his brother Samuel F. Pratt and William P. Letchworth and grew to
be one of the principal iron and steel industries of Western New York. The
Buffalo Iron & Nail Conipany was founded by Pascal P. Pratt in 1857, and the
same year he established the Fletcher Furnace Conipany at Black Rock and the
Tonawanda Furnace Company, both of which concerns he successfully operated
till 1885, when he leased the former and exchanged the latter for other
manufacturing properties.

Mr. Pratt was a signally progressive and public-spirited manufacturer, and his
different enterprises gave employment to - large numbers of men, and were the
means of causing many families to settle in Buffalo. They also drew attention
to the advantages presented by Buffalo as a location for manufactures, and the
sentiment thus created was sedulously fostered by Mr. Pratt. He had faith in
the future of Buffalo, and not only unhesitatingly ventured his own capital
there, but encouraged his friends to make similar investments. He
became a powerful force in the industrial advancement of the city, and many of
Buffalo’s successful manufacturing concerns, owe their inception to his
example, advice and substantial assistance. Mr. Pratt believed that the
employment of labor at fair and remunerative wages was both business good
sense and the capitalist’s duty, and without any sentimentality or affectation
- without ever posing as a champion of labor interests - nobody was more truly
a friend of the workingman than Pascal P. Pratt. His employes were well paid,
justly treated and contented, and as an employer he made a splendid record.

In 1856 Mr. Pratt founded the Manufacturers’ & Traders’ Bank, now the
Manufacturers' & Traders' National Bank, one of the strongest financial
institutions in the country. When the bank was incorporated, Mr. Pratt was
made a director and its Vice-President, and in 1885 he was elected its
President, an office which he held until 1901, when he retired on account of
advancing years, being succeeded by his son-in-law, Robert L. Fryer. He was
also one of the founders of the Bank of Buffalo and a director of the Bank of
Attica. He was among the original trustees of the Fidelity Trust & Guaranty
Company, now the Fidelity Trust Company, and for some years a director of the
Buffalo Street Railway Company. He was a director of the Buffalo Gas Company,
and a director and stockholder of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad
Company.

In politics Mr. Pratt was originally a Whig, but allied himself with the
Republican party as soon as the latter was organized, and continued to be its
loyal adherent for the rest of his life. During the Civil War he was a strong
Union man, gave liberally of his money to the National cause, and was active
in movements for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers. In 1869 he was
chosen a member of the Park Commission of Buffalo, and was the first President
of that body, serving till 1879. He took an intense interest in the park
system, and under his administration the plans for the Buffalo parks were
prepared, the land bought and a great proportion of the work of embellishment
carried on. He was repeatedly tendered nominations for high official places,
but refused them, consenting, however, to allow his name to be placed upon the
Republican electoral ticket in the Presidential campaign of 1872, and casting
his vote in the Electoral College for President Grant. In 1883 Mr. Pratt,
Luther B. Marsh of New York and Matthew Hale of Albany were appointed
Commissioners to appraise the land taken by the State for the Niagara Falls
Reservation. Mr. Pratt's expert judgment of real estate values and his
unassailable integrity enabled him to render services of great worth to the
commonwealth, and awards amounting to about $1,500,000 were made by the
Commission, whose findings were approved by the Supreme Court, the Legislature
and the State Executive, and were most favorably received by the public.

Mr. Pratt was one of the strongest friends of the Buffalo Young Men's
Christian Association, serving as the first President of the organization and
President of its Board of Trustees, He was the largest contributor toward the
erection of the old Y. M. C. A. structure at No. 19 Mohawk street, built at a
cost of $120,000, aiid also gave generously toward the Association's present
home. For twenty years he was President of the Buffalo Seminary, and in 1862
he was one of the founders and became a life member of the Buffalo Fine Arts
Academy. He was a connoisseur of art and a liberal patron of artists, his
walls being hung with many fine canvases. He served as trustee of the Buffalo
Orphan Asylum, trustee of Forest Lawn Cemetery, and Vice-President of the
Civil Service Reform Association, was President of the Board of Trustees of
the North Presbyterian Church, and Vice-President of the Presbyterian Union of
Buffalo. He was one of the charter members of the Buffalo Club, and was also
connected with the Ehlicott, Country and Falconwood Clubs. In his early days
he belonged to the old Eagle Engine Company No. 2, later became one of the
original members of the Volunteer Firemen's Benevolent Association, and was a
member of the Buffalo Exempt Volunteer Firemen's Association. Always a man of
strong patriotism Mr. Pratt was an active member of the Sons of the American
Revolution, and his solicitude for the well being of its sister organization,
the Daughters of the American Revolution, found expression in many generous
acts. He was a member of the Bankers’ Association and for many years served as
President of the Buffalo Clearing House Association.

September 1, 1845, Mr. Pratt married Phebe Lorenz, daughter of Frederick
Lorenz, a prominent iron and glass manufacturer of Pittsburg. The children of
the union are Katherine Lorenz, now Mrs. John Miller Horton, of Buffalo;
Frederick Lorenz, married to Jeannie Williams; Annie Lorenz, wife of John S.
Chittenden; Melissa Dodge, wife of Robert Livingston Fryer; Samuel Fletcher
Pratt, of Buffalo; Emma, wife of Dr. Charles Sumner Jones, a well-known
Buffalo physician, and Edward Pascal Pratt, of Kansas City, married to Annette
Perrine.

Pascal Paohi Pratt was of that rare type of individuality winch stamps a
lasting impress on the events and conditions with which it is brought in con
tact. No man did more for Buffalo than he, and his iiame is permanently
enshired in the annals of that city's progress.