Edgar J. PRATT, a member of the firm of COLE & PRATT, lumber-dealers, was born in Cayuga County, New York, September 18, 1841, a son of Joseph L. and Amy S. (FOX) PRATT. When he was three years old he was taken by his parents to Whitewater, [Walworth County] Wisconsin, where the father followed his business, that of carriage manufacturer, for many years. He died in 1878, his wife surviving him a few years. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters, Edgar J. being the sixth child. He passed his youth in Whitewater, receiving a limited education in the schools of that place.

At the age of eighteen years he enlisted [September 30, 1861 from Whitewater, Wisconsin] in Company H, Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry, and was assigned to the Amry of the Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Nashville, Tennessee, and Chattanooga, under General THOMAS, besides other engagements, serving faithfully nearly four years. [On January 6, 1865, he was promoted to full 1st Lieutenant, and then full Captain on February 15, 1865.] He was mustered out of service at New Orleans, in July [7], 1865, when he retunred to Whitewter, Wisconsin.

He then formed a partnership with his brother, John H. PRATT, in the mercantile business, which continued two years, when Edgar PRATT went to White Hall, Michigan, where he was engaged in the buying ans shelling [of] shingles, ties and lumber for two years.

Mr. PRATT was married in 1864 to Miss Jennie S. COLE, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, the only daughter of W. COLE, Sr. They have two daughters - Emma S. and Edith May.

In 1869 Mr. PRATT removed with his family to Mason City, Iowa, where he engaged in the mercanitle business, remaining there about seven years. He then formed a partnership with W. W. LYONS, they organizing the Poweshiek County Bank, at Brooklyn, Iowa, of which Mr. PRATT was cashier.

In 1879 Mr. PRATT came to Mt. Ayr, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for two years. In 1880 he becams associated with Wm. COLE, Jr., thus forming the present lumber firm of COLE & PRATT.

Mr. PRATT is one of the active and public-spirited citizens of Mt. Ayr, and during his residence in Ringgold County has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. In the fall of 1883 he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, of which he is at present chairman, and is also president of the School Board. Mr. PRATT is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge at Mason City. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

NOTE: William A. COLE, Jr. died in 1914 and was interred at Oakland Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 378, 1887.

American Civil War Soldiers Database, ancestry.com

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

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