Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 723
JONATHAN CLARK PRATHER

Jonathan Clark PRATHER, an enterprising groceryman at Missouri Valley, has been a resident of the place since October 1, 1870. He was born in March 27, 1853, in Lucas County, Iowa, near LaGrange, and is the son of J. C. and Elizabeth (ROLAND) PRATHER. The father died in October, 1852, a few months before the birth of our subject, and hence he knows but little concerning his father's ancestors. Of the ROLAND family it may be said that they date far back in the State of Kentucky, but members of the family moved to Indiana at an early day, and later came to Iowa. There were two children in the family, our subject and a sister, the wife of Sylvester SHORE, a resident of Missouri Valley. Our subject's early education was received in Lucas County, and, later on, at Missouri Valley. After leaving the High School at the last-named place he followed teaching in Harrison County for four years, and conducted a farm in St. John's Township for seven years. In the spring of 1884 moved to Missouri Valley and formed a partnership with S. H. MORGAN, under the firm name of MORGAN & PRATHER, which existed until 1886, and in the autumn of that year Mr. PRATHER purchased his partner's interest, and has since conducted it alone. Mr. PRATHER's mother married for her second husband Joseph CHAMBERS, who was a soldier in the Civil War, and there contracted disease by exposure in prison, from which he eventually died. She is now residing in LaGrange Township.

Politically, our subject was a democrat originally, but now votes the Independent ticket. The next year after he came to Missouri Valley he was elected one of the councilmen from the first ward, and has served for five year, still holding such position.

He was united in marriage November 23, 1876, to Miss Catherine DOUGHERTY, who is a native of Pennsylvania, but when a mere child accompanied her parents to the West. They are now living in St. John's Township, this county. The father is James, and the mother Mary (SNYDER) DOUGHERTY, and by this union Mr. and Mrs. PRATHER have become the parents of four children--Mary, born July 7, 1879; Edward, June 19, 1883; Catherine, June 25, 1886, and Rosa, born October 1, 1889.

Mr. PRATHER belongs to the Modern Woodmen of American, and his wife is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

Our subject has been quite successful since he embarked in trade, and is a highly respected citizen of Missouri Valley.

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