PRATT, Emery W. 1843-1935

PRATT, SHEW, JACKSON, LINCOLN

Posted By: Nancy J. Geitgey (email)
Date: 5/13/2003 at 15:42:18

Waukon Standard 13 Feb 1935

EMERY W. PRATT, WAUKON PIONEER, DIES MONDAY NIGHT

Veteran of '65 fought on many well known battlefields

Emery W. PRATT, Waukon's last surviving Civil war veteran died Monday night at the home of his son, R. J. PRATT. Had he lived an hour and a half longer he would have passed away on LINCOLN's birthday.

Mr. PRATT had been in declining health for several years, but was up and about the home, had read his daily paper, and shorthly before the final summons came he had indulged in his usual "smoke" upon retiring for the night.

Deceased son of Mr. and Mrs. Azel PRATT, was born at Dover, Maine, August 9, 1843, and was in his 92nd year. He was one of a family of nine children, all of whom have preceded him in death.

In September, 1849, he came west with his parents and brothers and sisters. They made the trip by vessel to Boston, thence on the railroad for 75 miles and the remainder of the distance in a covered wagon to Prairie du Chein, Wis. They arrived there in November where his mother and the children remained until the following January, 1850, while his father crossed the Mississippi river to Iowa and settled on a tract of land where the Makee school house now stands, two miles north of Waukon. It was almost covered with timber and brush and here the family made a clearing and built a log house.

Mr. PRATT's education consisted of three months' schooling a year. The other nine he assisted his father with his work. When he was seven years of age the family moved to what is now Waukon, but which then consisted of a mere hamlet. They built a log house across from the present city park where the Arthur PRATT residence now stands.

When the Civil war broke out Mr. PRATT enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Illinois infantry and was sent to St. Louis. From there his command was ordered to Arkansas ...* stern activities of the war. He saw service in a number of the principal engagements, Pea Ridge, Ark., Champion Hill, La., Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and others. He was wounded three times and on one occasion was reported dead to his family.

When Mr. PRATT returned to Waukon he brought with him his bride, Miss Martha SHEW, to whom he was married at Delphi, Ind., Nov. 22, 1865. Her death occurred eight years ago.

Mr. and Mrs. PRATT were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living, namely: R.J., Waukon; Fred, Chicago; Walter, Memphis, Tenn., Frank, Tacoma, Wash., and Mrs. Mary JACKSON, Chana, Ill. There are also 24 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Deceased followed in the footsteps of his father and was a carpenter by trade, and erected many of the houses and barns throughout Allamakee county.

Though living to an exceptionally old age he retained his hearing to a marked degree and possessed an alert mind until the last taps sounded. He had one son in the Spanish-American war, and another son and three nephews in the World war.

Funeral services will be held Thrusday afternoon at the R. J. PRATT home, conducted by Rev. R. L. Van Nice. Burial will be in Oakland cemetery with full military honors.

Mr. PRATT's death leaves only one surviving Civil war veteran in Allamakee county, he being D. E. Harrington of Postville.

*Note: a portion of the obituary telling of his military service is missing.