PRATT, John W. 1835-1897

PRATT

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 12/4/2002 at 15:19:36

The citizens of Waukon were shocked last Saturday afternoon by learning that J.W. Pratt had dropped dead in his store without warning. He had been in a feeble condition for some time but no immediate danger was apprehended. Mr. Pratt was an all around good man, and we don't believe he had an enemy. He was county clerk for six years and was generally one of the most prominent men in Waukon and the county. We take the following extract from the obituary in the Standard:

For more than forty years he was an active, faithful member of the Baptist church at times acting as its clerk and superintendent of the Sunday School, and under his leadership for many years its choir was one of the best in northern Iowa, and for twenty-five years he was a deacon of the church. He was one of the best known men in the county, and in all the relations of life, in the family, the church, society, the state, in business, everywhere and always his example was on the right side, building up and making better all these things with which he came in contact. He leaves a wife and one son, Arthur E. and brothers Rev. W.W., pastor of the Baptist church, Passaic, N.J.; Alanson, of Waterloo, Iowa; Hiram G. Lemuel and Alfred, of Fredericksburg, Iowa, who were present; and one sister, Maria, in Dakota. The funeral services were held at the Baptist church Tuesday afternoon which was crowded to its fullest capacity, the Masonic Lodge and G.A.R. Post turning out in large numbers. The services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Robert Bruce, assisted by Revs. R.L. Vannice of the Presbyterian church and S.R. Ferguson of the M.E. church, the latter particularly speaking for the veterans. His remains were laid to rest in Oakland cemetery according to the beautiful and impressive rites of the Masonic order.
-Postville Review, August 27, 1897

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Added by Joy Moore 12/17/2020:

Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 26, 1897 P 3 C 5

Died in his Chair.
Many Decorah people knew John W. Pratt of Waukon. To all such the fol­lowing will be sad intelligence:

Waukon, Aug 23:—Saturday after­noon Mr. John W. Pratt, one of the early settlers of this place, passed away very suddenly from apoplexy while seated in the front of his furniture store. For the past year Mr. Pratt has been in health and spent the winter in a sanitarium in Michigan, yet his death, coming as it did, was a severe shock to his immediate relatives and friends. He leaves a wife and one son to mourn his loss. The son is the proprietor of a drug store in this place. Mr. Pratt is a veteran of the Twenty-seventh Iowa, 61 years of age and has always been a very ardent and energetic republican in politics. He was a member of the Baptist church and for many years he was leader of the choir. He was a gentleman held in high respect by all in this community and it will be with many feelings of sadness that the G. A. R. will lay their comrade away to rest,

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born Dec. 3, 1835 and died Aug. 21, 1897. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery.