Hiram Austin Pratt 1840-1914

PRATT, SHAW, MCMAINS

Posted By: Mary (email)
Date: 2/3/2007 at 11:55:04

WAVELAND INDEPENDENT October 6, 1914
MONTGOMERY COUNTY INDIANNA

Hiram Austin Pratt; son of Mr. & Mrs. Erastus Pratt, was born in Parke County, Indianna, April 20, 1840 and died Oct. 12, 1914, aged 74y 5m 22d. Mr. Pratt was first married September 6, 1866 to Eliza Franklin Shaw who died Oct. 12, 1887. His second marriage Oct. 8, 1888 was to Evaline McMains; who survives him. There also lives to mourne him, two brothers; Allen and Edward; one sister; Mrs. Eliza Donahue, and a host of other relatives and friends. An adopted son William Franklin Pratt died Oct. 12, 1894.

Mr. Pratt in youth became a member of the Baptist Church, but for several years has been active and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Waveland. Until the very last days of his life, he never missed an opportunity to show his love for the church of his choice. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, Rebekah and Knights of Pythias Lodge.

In 1862 when the call was made for men who would place their lives at the disposal of the nation in a fight, the end of which could not be forseen; Mr. Pratt went gladly an gave 3 of the best years of his life in the service of his country. He saw activity upon the battlefield and paid the penalty for many in Andersonville prison. At the close of the war; he received honorable discharge and again took up his tasks in peaceful pursursuance of duty.

So long as he was able, he worked dilligently and even after he could but totter about; he made effort to still be active in labour. After attending the funeral service of his friend, Mr. A.J. Wolfe, last Friday; he was stricken with paralysis on the porch of his home and never regained the power of speech. His spirit of loyalty to what he thought right will linger long as a benediction and inspiration to us.

Funeral sevices will be held at the home on Wednesday morning by the Rev. Wm. W. Speer. The 100F and K of P Lodges attended in a body, an dthree apall bearers from each lodge occompanied the body to Farmersburg for internmen.

Transcriber notes:
Pvt. Hiram Austin Pratt enlisted as a Private on August 8, 1862 at Albia, Monroe County Iowa at the age of 22 in Company B, 36th Iowa Infantry Regiment; POW on April 25, 1864 at Markshill; (Andersonville Prison}Arkansas; Mustered out on August 24, 1865 at Devall's Bluff, Arkansas.
source: http://www.iamonroe.org Monroe County Iowa surname index and Civil War Records for Company 36. Some of the Pratt's are buried at Oak View Cemetery at Albia.

Hiram was the son of Erasmus & Eliabeth Pratt; sibblings were James, Cryus, Asa, Ed and John Pratt and sister Eliza.

His father Erasmus died at aged 82yrs in January of 1894 at Ottumwa, Iowa.

Hiram is buried at Maple Ridge Cemetery at Waveland; Montgomery County Indianna. His memorial is posted at http://www.findagrave.com