Bio: Pratt, Cora  (27 Jun 1869- 1 Sep 1913)

Transcriber: Janet

Surnames: Pratt, Watkins

----Sources: Grand Rapids, Wood County, Wisconsin, Thursday, Oct. 15, 1885

Cora Pratt was an 1884 graduate of Howe High School, Grand Rapids, Wisconsin.  Upon completion of her schooling, she taught school in the town of Worden, Clark Co., Wisconsin.  Her mother died during that school term of "Progressive Muscular Atrophy."  Her father, Marcus Shumway Pratt died in 1927.  All three of them are buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Wisconsin.

Father: Marcus Shumway Pratt 1840–1927
Marriage: 20 Apr 1864 in Grand Rapids, Wood, Wisconsin, United States
Mother: Maria Watkins 1844–1886

Children of Maria Watkins and Marcus Shumway Pratt: Cora A Pratt, 1869–?; Genevieve "Jennie" Maria Pratt 1874–1951; Grace Elida Pratt 1879–?

1900 Federal Census, Grand Rapids, Wood, Wisconsin, Ward of City: 4, Street: Milwaukee Street, House Number: 101, Sheet Number: 21, Family Number: 434

Name: Cora Pratt, Age: 30 (Jun 1869, WI), white female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: M S Pratt
Father's Birthplace: New York, USA
Mother's Birthplace: New York, USA
Occupation: House Keeping
Can Read: Yes
Can Write: Yes
Can Speak English: Yes

Household Members
 

Head: Mark S Pratt, 60 yrs.

Mother: L A Pratt, 83 yrs.
Cora Pratt 30 yr. old Daughter
Jennie Pratt 28 yr. old Daughter
Mary Hahn, 21 yr. old Servant

GRAND RAPIDS, WOOD CO., WISCONSIN, THURSDAY, Dec 21, 1893 Nekoosa Church Services.

A part of the early religious history of the new village of Nekoosa was formed Sunday December 17th, by the holding of the first services in the first church building erected there for the exclusive service of God and his righteousness. A large number from the Twin Cities drove down to attend the services even though the weather was cold. We append a list of those whom we noticed:

Rev. Wm. Kilburne, pastor of the Congregational church; Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Nash; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Ketchum; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rablin and daughter; Mrs. Geo. R. Gardner and two daughters; Mr. and Mrs. F. J Wood and son Guy; Laura Reeves, Cora Pratt, Esther Thorn, Laura and Rena Houston, Lina Hasbrouck, Ella Perry, Esther Lyon, Maude Pulver, Julia Smith and sister, Laura Canning, Ella McRaith, Matthew McRaith, Minnie Brown, L. H. Read, Roy Farrish, Claud Ratelle, Rube Lyons and Geo. N. Wood. Also Mr. L. M. Alexander and Mrs. John hid wards, of Port Edwards; Rev. H. W. Carter, secretary of the Home Missionary board, from Beloit; Rev. G. C. Haun and wife, of Madison.

The services commenced at 3 o’clock p. m. The audience room was filled with many people who had come for many miles. The choir consisted of Messrs. L. M. Alexander and F. Wood, Misses Laura Reeves and Esther Thorn. Miss Cora Pratt presided at the organ. The ushers were William Hooper and Malcolm Young.

The sermon delivered by Rev. Carter was excellent and in keeping with the demands of the mixed audience present. Revs. Kilburne and Haun assisted in the services.

The church building is a perfect little “Gem,” capable of seating about 300 people and provided with all necessary furniture and fixtures. It is lighted by eight large Rochester lamps and is heated by a furnace. An ingrain carpet covers the floor and the organ is one of the best. Mr. Patten, the donor of the church and everything connected with it, would have been delighted had he been present to see the smiles of appreciation on every face. This gift to the people of Nekoosa will be of lasting benefit and profit which we believe is greatly appreciated. The following resolutions were passed unanimously:

Whereas, Mr. A. W. Patten of Appleton, Wisconsin, has built and furnished in elegant manner this beautiful church, in which the people of Nekoosa and vicinage May listen to the preaching of “the simple doctrine of Christ” and “the plain teachings of the Bible,”

And, whereas, we, that people, are gathered for the first time here to worship God, and to open this House for religious purposes;

And, whereas, we highly value Mr. Patten’s generous gift and the blessings it confers upon ns as a community;

Be it resolved, that we do now here express our appreciation of his kindness and our thankfulness to him for his munificent gift.

Be it further resolved that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the proper records, and a copy of them be forwarded to Mr. Patten in token of our gratitude.

In the evening a temporary Sunday school was organized for a period of three mouths by the election of Mr., Withers, as superintendent, Mrs. Lapham as assistant superintendent and Malcolm Young as secretary and treasurer.

Other articles about Cora Pratt

PRATT, Cora Wood County Reporter, June 15, 1882, P2
PRATT, Cora Wood County Reporter, June 21, 1883, P4
PRATT, Cora Wood County Reporter, June 26, 1884, P5
PRATT, Cora Wood County Reporter, May 25, 1893, P1 (class of 1884)

*The construction of the Howe high school began in 1875, a loan of $10,000 having been negotiated from the state. It cost $32,000 and was completed and the school organized in 1877, the first school session being held with the beginning of the fall term. It was named the Howe Free High School and I. N. Stewart was the first principal. In the following year, 1878, school closed Feb. 28, owing to lack of funds. The teachers were allowed the use of the building, apparently so they might teach private school therein, receiving such pupils for whose tuition the parents could afford to pay. The tax levied that year was $4,345, of which it seems but $2,627 was collected, $1,718 being returned as (temporarily at least) uncollectable.

Obit: Pratt, Cora A. (27 Jun 1869- 1 Sep 1913)

----Sources: Wood County reporter, 4 Sep 1913

Name: Cora A Pratt
Birth Date: 1868
Birth Place: Wood County, Wisconsin, United States of America
Death Date: 1913; Cemetery: Forest Hill Cemetery
Burial: Wood County, Wisconsin, United States of America
Father: Marcus Shumway Pratt

GONE TO HER ETERNAL REWARD

“Be Still Prepared for Death— and Death, or Life. Shall be th? Sweeter.”

In the passing of Miss Cora Pratt a faithful Christian life is ended in this world and she was well pre pared for the next. She has simply gone on before. Her going was a sudden shock to her relatives, her immediate friends and the community in which she lived. An ideal Christian character and lovable woman has gone to her reward.

Lately she has been poorly with nervous prostration, but no one considered her condition serious or dangerous. Her intimate friend, Miss Lucy Woodworth, of Pittsville, has been' with her the past week, and nearly every day they have been out riding together. It was thought that Miss Pratt was gaining until a day or two before she died. Monday morning, September 1st, Labor Day, she was taken worse and died at 1:15 a. m., from the effects of a hemorrhage of the brain, it came on so suddenly that her father, who was with her, hardly realized its presence. She passed away apparently in deep sleep. Her loss to her father is great and he realizes that his daughter, house keeper, homemaker and constant companion, has gone from him for ever. He has the heartfelt sympathy of all his friends in this hour of his bereavement. We append the following verses for his comfort:

Plan not, nor scheme, but calmly wait;

His choice is best,

While blind and erring is thy sight;

His wisdom sees and judges right;

So trust and rest.

Strive not, nor struggle; thy poor might

Can never wrest

The meanest thing to serve thy will;

All power is His alone; be still. And trust and wait.

What dost thou fear? His wisdom reigns

Supreme, confessed;

His power is infinite; His love

Thy deepest fondest dreams

above;

So trust and rest.

—MacDuff.

Miss Cora Pratt was born in Grand Rapids on the 27th of June, 1868, and was in her 46th year. She was the eldest of three daughters. She was educated in the public schools of Grand Rapids and taught in the public schools of Necedah, Wis. She was an active and efficient member of St. Johns Episcopal church, one time acting as organist. She was devoted to principle and her friends. She was of a sweet, winsome disposition that won friends.

Besides her father she leaves two sisters, Mrs. F. W. Clements of Port Huron, Michigan, and Mrs. W. P. Sanderson, of Sauk Centre, Minnesota. to mourn her death. The funeral service was held on Thursday afternoon.

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Obit: Pratt, Maria Watkins (1844-1886)

Surnames: Pratt, Watkins

----Source: Grand Rapids, Wood County reporter, June 03, 1886

Maria Watkins Pratt b. 1844 NY
Died: 1886 (aged 41–42) Wood County, WI
Buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery; Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County, WI

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Obit: Pratt, Marcus Shumway (1840-1927)

Surnames: Pratt

Marcus fought with Co G 12 Wis Vol.

Marcus Shumway Pratt, b. 1840 in Steuben County, New York, USA
Died: 1927 (aged 86–87) in Wood County, WI
Buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery, Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County, WI