My Genealogy Hound

ABRAHAM S. PRATHER. One of the most important industries of early Jamestown was its lumber trade, and to-day it is still a leading business. Among the well-known representatives of that line is Abraham S. Prather, who has been engaged for some years as a manufacturer and dealer in this commodity. He was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1841, and is a son of Abraham C. and Sarah Prather. The Prather family is originally from England, the first of the name, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, coming to Maryland during the seventeenth century. Henry Prather (great-grandfather) was born in Maryland, the same year that Washington was given to the world. He married Elizabeth Hicks, a lady of Danish parents, and among their other children was Thomas Hicks Prather, born in 1755, the grandfather of Abraham S. Prather. The homestead of the original Prather in Maryland, was a grant direct from King George. Thomas Hicks Prather remained upon it and married Elizabeth Crunkelton, after which they removed to Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where on September 19, 1786, Abraham C. Prather (father) was born. About the year 1798, his father moved to Venango county, Pennsylvania, and was one of the first settlers there, the country being thickly populated with Indians many of whom were not friendly. He was a tanner by trade and also followed farming. During the war of 1812 he enlisted and was present at the battle of Fort Erie. He married and had ten children. Mr. Prather was a whig and member of the Presbyterian church, in which faith he passed away July 7, 1850, aged sixty-four years.

Abraham S. Prather was educated in the public schools, supplementing them with a course in Duff’s business college at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His business career began with Prather Brothers, lumber dealers in Venango county, after which he was banking and producing oil successively.

He married Lucy J. Holender, daughter of Thomas Holender, who is of English extraction, and has had three children: John H., born in 1866, studied law with C. E. Lockwood and was graduated from the Buffalo Law school in June 1890 and in January, 1891, was admitted to practice in all the courts of the State of New York. He located at Jamestown where he is now practicing; I. Myrtle and Alhama.

In addition to the business mentioned, Mr. Prather operated a brick factory in Jamestown until February 4, 1881, when it was destroyed by fire and he turned his attention to a binding office, but for some years has been in the lumber business. In politics he is a republican, and a member of the Congregational church. He joined Co. I, 142d regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, in August, 1862, and served until 1863, when he was discharged on account of disabilities, being at that time first sergeant of the company.