Sudden Death of Alma Pratt
A Pioneer of 1847 Succumbs to Attack of Pneumonia
Only Ill A Few Days
Has Led a Busy and Useful Life—Something of What He Did—Time of His Funeral
Alma Pratt, a Pioneer of ’47, and a resident of this city for the past 55 years, died early this morning at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Samuel Russell of Farmers ward, the cause of death being hemorrhage of the lungs, superinduced by a slight attack of pneumonia, which came upon him several days ago. To his many friends and acquaintances his death will come as a profound shock for only a few days ago Alma Pratt was in the vigor of youth, so to speak, his towering form giving evidence of a physique strong enough to stand the rigors of many years. But He who holds men’s destinies within His hands, has seen fit to call him home and his passing removes one of the builders of this commonwealth, for within the breast of manly form now inanimate, beat a heart responsive to any call having for its object the development and progress of this state. He was a benefactor, a public spirited citizen. To the children the death of “Uncle Alma” removes from their midst one who loved them and by his love won their admiration and made of them his warmest friends.
Alma Pratt was the son of Parley P. Pratt and was born at Nauvoo, Ills., July 31, 1845, being therefore 57 years of age. When two years of age he entered this valley with the Pioneers and in all the years intervening he has worked with unceasing toil to build it up and make it what it now is. As stated above he was public spirited, even to a fault, and whether fighting Indians, building canals or launching enterprises he was always to the fore ready to lend a helping hand and where necessary, to support with financial aid. He was a veteran of the Black Hawk war and participated yearly in the annual gatherings of its veterans; he was a charter member of the D. A. & M. society, and was a leading spirit in nearly all its state fairs; he was the prime mover in laying out the east and west drives, assisted materially with the boulevard on Capitol hill, and made the suggestion which led to the opening of City Creek canyon as a public park. Some 15 years ago he was the owner of one of the biggest farms in the state and as such imported a choice lot of high grade horses, cattle and sheep, thus benefiting these industries by his enterprise. He also filled a mission in the states and did good work in many other capacities. He set out many of the shade trees which now adorn our main thoroughfares and in the upbuilding of the state was foremost in every moment instituted for the general good.
Deceased leaves two sons and three daughters to mourn his death, besides a host of other relatives and friends. His children are: A.A. Pratt, manager of the Angel and Bees mining claims at Wickenburg, Ariz., and owner of the Old Arm Chair summer resort in Parley’s canyon; Oliver A. Pratt, of this city; Mrs. Arthur Gale Thompson of Seattle, Wash.; Mrs. Charles M. Friedman of Cumberland, Wyo., and Parker B. Pratt, a student at the University of Utah. The funeral services have not been definitely arranged but it is likely they will be held in the Farmers ward meeting house on Sunday at 12 o’clock.
[Deseret News, Nov. 13, 1902]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Jan. 2006]
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Events of the Month
By Thomas Hull, General Secretary of Y.M.M.I.A.
November 13–Alma Pratt, born Nauvoo, Ill., age 57, died in Farmers’ Ward, Granite Stake.
[Improvement Era, 1902]
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