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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Memorial and family history of Erie County, New York
Genealogical Pub. Co., 1906

    -5-

        SAMUEL FLETCER PRATT was one of the representative members of his
     family, and for more than forty years his name was among the most
     notable in the business life of Buffalo.  He was born in Townsend,
     Vt., May 28, 1807, being a son of SAMUEL PRATT, JR., and SOPHIA
     FLETCHER.  Soon after his birth, he came with his parents to Buffalo,
     where his early life and education were typical of the conditions of a
     frontier town.  When he was twelve years old he went to Canada as a
     clerk in a store, where he continued for the next three years.  Re-
     turning to Buffalo, in 1822, he entered the hardware store of GEORGE
     and THADDEUS WEED.  In 1828 MR. PRATT, GEORGE WEED and LUCIUS STORRS
     formed a partnership as GEORGE WEED & Company.  MR. WEED died in 1828
     and in 1829 his brother THADDEUS succeeded him in the business, which
     was continued as WEED & PRATT.  In 1836 MR. PRATT purchased the WEED
     interest and conducted the business till 1842, when with his brother
     PASCAL P. PRATT, he established the well-known hardware house of S. F.
     PRATT & Company, with which he was for so many years identified.  In
     1845 MR. PRATT and MR. WILLIAM P. LETCHWORTH

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    -6-

     founded the firm of PRATT & LETCHWORTH, manufacturers of saddlery
     hardware.  In 1848 MR. PRATT was a leading factor in the organization
     of the Buffalo Gas Light Company, and he served as its PRESIDENT to
     the time of his death.
        MR. PRATT shunned public office and though often urged to become a
     candidate for Mayor, always declined.  However he accepted the office
     of Alderman in 1844 and served the city faithfully.  Throughout his
     career his influence was strongly felt in civic affairs.  During the
     War of the Rebellion he was Treasurer of the Citizens' Committee of
     Three, and rendered valuable assistance to the Union cause.  In 1851
     he was one of the founders of the Buffalo Female Academy, was elected
     its first President and for many years served as one of its Trustees.
     MR. PRATT preserved a devout faith in the truths of religion, and when
     eighteen years old joined the First Presbyterian Church.  He was a man
     of musical culture, and for many years was a member of the church
     choir.
        In 1835 MR. PRATT married MARY JANE STRONG, of Paterson, N.J.
     Their children were two daughters, JEANNIE (MRS. WILLIAM J. KING, JR),
     who died September 24, 1872, and HELEN (MRS. FRANK HAMLIN), whose
     death occurred January 27, 1873.
        In 1866, MR. PRATT made an extended European tour, and in 1868 he
     again went abroad.
        MR. PRATT died April 27, 1872.  In him the community lost one of
     its pillars.  He was typical of those solid elements of citizenship
     which go to the upbuilding of commerce, morals and patriotism.

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