Obituary: Rock County, Wisconsin: Martin V. PRATT ************************************************************************ Submitted by Ruth Ann Montgomery, June 2005 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Hon. M. V. Pratt Hon. M. V. Pratt died suddenly at his home in Riverview Park, Janesville, on Friday morning, April 8, 1898, of heart failure. he was fitting a small flower garden at the side of his house about 9 o'clock, when he tottered, sank to his knees, then fell full length and a noble life left this world almost instantly. Martin V. Pratt was born at Easton, Mass., on the 10th day of November 1828, graduated from the Bridgewater, Mass., Normal school in the class of 1846, after which he engaged in teaching for a number of years. In 1858 he engaged in the boot and shoe business at Dunkirk, N. Y., but after a year spent in the Empire state returned to Massachusetts, engaging in the manufacture of boots and shoes. In the fall of 1861 he came west and located in Bureau county, Ill., where he engaged in merchandising for a year when he came to Wisconsin, settling in Spring Prairie, Walworth Co., where he followed the same line of business. For nine years he remained a resident of Spring Prairie when he removed to this city and engaged in merchandising for a number of years with his brother Daniel and A. C. Gray, but at length disposed of his stock and engaged in the cold storage business, dealing principally in eggs. For several years he served as a member of the school committee at Easton, Mass.; was treasurer of the town of Spring Prairie; was chairman of the board of supervisiors; filled the office of president of the village board of this place before it was incorporated, as long as he would accept of it; was a member of the board of Supervisors of this county for three years; served nine years as a member of our public school board; served as Assemblyman in our state legislature from this place for two terms. Since the organization of the republican party he has been one of its most ardent advocates and earnest workers. Was president of the Evansville Pub. Ass'n, which first established this paper, and a more honest, upright person in all his dealings, we never met nor ever expect to meet. Health failing him about three years ago, he moved to the Pacific coast where he engaged in business, but returned to this city in 1897, and soon moved to Janesville where he again engaged in the cold storage of eggs, in which business he continued up to his death. In the year 1869, which residing in Spring Prairie, he was married to Miss Evaline E. Holmes, a native of Charlestown, Mass., and one daughter, Edith was born to them, who survive as good a husband and father as ever lived; they have the deepest heartfelt sympathy of this entire community, where the high respect and love for them is only equalled by their departed loved one. Truly his life was a busy, faithful one, as few equal and none can excell. The funeral was held under the auspices of the Masonic lodge in the Congregational church in this city at 2 o'clock, p. m. on Monday, April 11, 1898; Rev. R. C. Denison, of Janesville, delivered the sermon, assisted by Rev. W. M. Short resident pastor, and all that was mortal of that noble man found a last resting place in our Evansville cemetery, where we are all proud to have him even in death, as we were always proud of him as a citizen. April 15, 1898, Enterprise, p. 1, col. 4, Evansville, Wisconsin Obituary Died: Friday morning, April 8, at his home in Janesville, Mr. M. V. Pratt, of heart failure, aged 69 years. When the news of Mr. Pratt's death reached his old friends here last Friday all were greatly shocked for from day to day as they had visited Janesville he had been seen and was apprently in good health. While working in his flower garden he suddenly fell to the ground and never regained consciousness. Strange to say at that very moment his life-long friend and partner, A. C. Gray, accompanied by his little daughter walked into the yard. The funeral was held from the Congregational church here last Monday afternoon, Rev. R. C. Dennison of Janesville officiating assisted by Rev. W. M. Short. For many years Mr. Pratt and family resided on Madison street in the house now occupied by Mr. J. W. Christmas. Some years since, his health failing him, he sold his home and moved to the Pacific Coast and spent two years. Upon his return to Wisconsin he located in Janesville where he has since lived. Mr. Pratt was a well known resident of Evansville being for many years associated in mercantile business with A. C. Gray. The deceased was a gentleman who commanded the respect and confidence of his associates. For several years he was a member of the school committee at Easton, Mass., his native home, he was treasurer of the town of Spring Prairie where he resided when in business in Walworth county; he was president of the Evansville village board for several years; was a member of our school board for about ten years, and represented this district in our state Republican party of which he has been a member since its organization, his hearty support. In all cases he showed himself to be mindful of his responsibilities. The deceased leaves a wife and one daughter, Miss Edith. April 16, 1898, The Badger, p. 1, col. 4, Evansville, Wisconsin Mrs. M. V. Pratt and daughter Edith arrived from Janesville Thursday, and will make this city their home, residing in the Van Patten residence on First St. Their many Evansville friends extend a hearty welcome. May 20, 1898, The Enterprise, p. 1, col. 2, Evansville, Wisconsin