Hiram Pratt
Encyclopedia
Hiram Pratt was mayor
of Buffalo, New York
, serving 1835–1836 and 1839–1840. He was born in Westminster, Vermont
on June 28, 1800, a son of Captain Samuel Pratt, an early settler of Buffalo. He married Maria Fowle on November 3, 1825. They had three daughters. With Orlando Allen
he built a mercantile business. He also built a warehouse and forwarding business; was an agent for the Farmers Fire Insurance and Loan Company; a founder, cashier, and president of the first Bank of Buffalo; a leading Great Lakes shipbuilder; and a Trustee of the village of Buffalo.
On March 10, 1835, the Buffalo Common Council appoint Hiram Pratt as Mayor of the city. During his first term the city purchased land for the Elk Street Market. On March 5, 1839, he was elected for a second term. During this term six new school buildings were erected and competent teachers hired and a Recorder's Court was created. In January 1840, the New York State legislature passed a law requiring all mayors in New York to be elected directly by the people, making him the last mayor elected by the Common Council.
During the financial depression of 1836–1838, Pratt lost his entire estate largely to forged notes and the speculative projects undertaken by Benjamin Rathbun. He never fully recovered from the emotional strain and died in Utica, New York
on April 27, 1840, en route to Saratoga, New York
for rest. His body was returned to Buffalo and buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery
. Buffalo's Prospect Park stands on property once owned by Pratt.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, serving 1835–1836 and 1839–1840. He was born in Westminster, Vermont
Westminster (town), Vermont
Westminster is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,210 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 46.1 square miles , of which 46.1 square miles is land and 0.04 square mile is...
on June 28, 1800, a son of Captain Samuel Pratt, an early settler of Buffalo. He married Maria Fowle on November 3, 1825. They had three daughters. With Orlando Allen
Orlando Allen
Orlando Allen was a New York State Assemblyman and the 18th Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York. Allen began his political career as City Treasurer, followed by two separate terms as Second Ward Alderman. He served an extended single term as Mayor after being appointed in January 1848...
he built a mercantile business. He also built a warehouse and forwarding business; was an agent for the Farmers Fire Insurance and Loan Company; a founder, cashier, and president of the first Bank of Buffalo; a leading Great Lakes shipbuilder; and a Trustee of the village of Buffalo.
On March 10, 1835, the Buffalo Common Council appoint Hiram Pratt as Mayor of the city. During his first term the city purchased land for the Elk Street Market. On March 5, 1839, he was elected for a second term. During this term six new school buildings were erected and competent teachers hired and a Recorder's Court was created. In January 1840, the New York State legislature passed a law requiring all mayors in New York to be elected directly by the people, making him the last mayor elected by the Common Council.
During the financial depression of 1836–1838, Pratt lost his entire estate largely to forged notes and the speculative projects undertaken by Benjamin Rathbun. He never fully recovered from the emotional strain and died in Utica, New York
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
on April 27, 1840, en route to Saratoga, New York
Saratoga, New York
Saratoga is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 5,141 at the 2000 census. It is also the commonly used, but not official, name for the neighboring and much more populous city, Saratoga Springs. The major village in the town of Saratoga is Schuylerville which is...
for rest. His body was returned to Buffalo and buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery
Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York was founded in 1849 by Charles E. Clark. It covers over 250 acres and over 152,000 are buried there. Notable graves include U.S. President Millard Fillmore, singer Rick James, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell...
. Buffalo's Prospect Park stands on property once owned by Pratt.