admin SAMUEL FLETCHER 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. Returning 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 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.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I