John Wesley Pratt

John W. Pratt, M.D.

Stricken with paralysis last January, John W. Pratt, aged 69 years, a retired physician, died at his home, Chestnut street and Second avenue, yesterday at noon. Dr. Pratt was born near Lionville and resided for a number of years near Elverson, where he attended school, until he entered Millersville State Normal School and graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College.

He is survived by a widow, who was formerly Miss Catherine Mullin, daughter of the late John S. Mullin, West Chester, two sons, Dr. John S. M. Pratt and Dr. Ira Pratt, at home; two daughters, Maude, wife of Abe Tuck, a Lincoln Highway merchant, and Miss Anna Pratt, at home, and a half-brother in California.

He came to Coatesville in 1875, practicing medicine ever since, until 1913, when he retired from active service, and then when the influenza epidemic visited this city last Winter he went back into the harness and labored ardently, calling on as many as one hundred patients in a single day until he had a nervous breakdown and later he suffered a hemorrhage and one eye was destroyed.

In 1809 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature on a fusion ticket. Dr. Pratt was a staunch Democrat for years, taking an active part in national, State, county and municipal affairs. He was of a pleasing disposition, a devoted husband and kind father.

He was prominently identified with the Chester County Medical Society, and was a member of Goddard Lodge, No. 383, F. & A. M., Centennial Commandery, Knights Templar, and Coatesville Chapter. He was a member of the Olivet M. E. Church and for a number of years was a member of the official board.

[Daily Local, July 16, 1919]

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Beautiful floral designs presented by relatives and friends were in evidence yesterday at the funeral of Dr. J. W. Pratt, who had long been one of the best-known of the city. Services were conducted by Rev. Charles W. Straw, of Philadelphia, a former pastor of the Olivet Methodist Episcopal Church, assisted by the present pastor, Rev. Thompson W. McKinney. At the grave in Fairview Cemetery there were services by Goddard Lodge, F. & A. M., of which Dr. Pratt was a Past Master. Pall bearers were E. H. Doan, J. Howard Thorne, George W. Davy, Lewis Gray, Rodney Martin and Postmaster Jas. G. Downward.

Several prominent physicians from over the country were present, including Dr. Northrup, head of Hahnemann College; Dr. Palen and Dr. Leopold.

[Daily Local, July 19, 1919]

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Dr. John Wesley Pratt

After a protracted illness, Dr. John Wesley Pratt died at his home, Chestnut street, at noon on Tuesday.

Dr. Pratt, who was in his seventieth year, was one of the oldest physicians in Coatesville, where he practiced his profession for more than forty years. He was always of a genial and kind disposition, which won for him not only hosts of friends, but a most lucrative practice. In politics he was a Democrat of the true Jeffersonian type, and was regarded as a leader in the council of his party in Chester county. In 1899 he was elected a member of the State Legislature on a fusion ticket. For some years he was a member of the Coatesville School Board, and was a member of the Chester County Medical Society.

Besides his widow he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. A. Tuck and Miss Anna Pratt, this city, and two sons, Dr. John S. M. Pratt and Dr. Charles Ira Pratt, both of Coatesville.

His funeral, which was very largely attended, took place yesterday. Religious services, conducted by Rev. Dr. McKinney, were held at the home, at the conclusion of which the remains were laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery.

[Coatesville Record, July 19, 1919]

• Residence: 1880 - Coatesville, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
• Residence: 1900 - Valley Township, Precinct 5 Coatesville borough, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
• Residence: 1910 - Coatesville, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States
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