John Pratt

To the time of his retirement to London Mills about eleven years ago, John Pratt was one of the most industrious and successful agriculturalists of Young Hickory Twp., this county. From his rise from small beginnings one may glean many helpful lessons. Born on a farm near Richmond, VA, in 1830, he was ten years old when his parents, John and Mary E. (FAULKNER) Pratt moved from the Old Dominion to Ohio, and he was about twenty-one when the family fortunes were shifted to Young Hickory Twp. in the beginning of the '50s. He helped to clear and improve the original 80 acres taken up by his father, lent his strength to the erection of the modern frame house which supplanted the one of log construction, and otherwise contributed to the growth of Sect. 11, from which all of the seven children gained their start in life. In addition to faithfully performing his home duties, John Pratt worked on other farms in the Twp. and in this way secured hay and feed for the for the stock of his father ere the land was improved to produce. Later he made an independent start on sixty acres for which he paid $10 an acre. He next bought 80 acres on Sect. 10, Young Hickory Twp. continuing his purchases until he owned 300 acres. He raised Shorthorn and Durham cattle, usually about one hundred head, the same number of hogs, and sheep.

The marriage of Mr. Pratt and Mary E. STREET occurred in Young Hickory Twp., in 1855. Mrs. Pratt being a native of OH and daughter of William Street, a prominent farmer of the Buckeye State. They are the parents of five daughters, and one son, as follows: Eliza Jane, deceased, former wife of John BURNETT, of Fairview Twp. Sarah C. Minnie F., the wife of Harvey FOSTER of McDonough Co., IL Frances B., wife of William LUMAN of Kansas Mary Emma, living at home William E. who married Ella WADKINS, of Knox County, IL

Mr. Pratt has served acceptably as a member of the School Board, and Pathmaster of the township