Buena Vista County, IA
IAGenWeb Project

William H. Pratt, who for 42 years has continuously remained in the employ of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad and since 1882 has served the company as agent at Sioux Rapids, is one of the highly esteemed and respected residents of Buena Vista County. He was born in Woodstock, Vermont, in 1841, his parents being John A. and Sarah (Patrick) Pratt, both of whom spent their entire lives in the old Green Mountain State. The grandparents were also natives of Vermont and the grandmother, Freedom Moore, was the first child born in Windsor, that state, after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. John A. Pratt, the father of our subject, was a very prominent man in Woodstock, Vermont, and in fact was well known throughout the entire state. As his grandfather and father were also named John, he was called John the Third, and finally petitioned the legislature of Vermont for the addition of the A. to his name. For a number of years he acted as sheriff of his county and likewise held various other public offices. He served as a lieutenant in the war of 1812 and at the close of the hostilities was sent by the United States government in charge of a surveying party to determine the boundary line of the state. He was an extensive landowner and a most prosperous and public-spirited citizen. Prominent in Masonry, he held important official positions in the fraternity for many years and was serving as grand master at the time of the Morgan trouble, taking an active part in the reconstruction of the order. His demise occurred in 1852 and his wife survived him for only two years, being called to her final rest in 1854.