Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Thomas PRATT
By the purchase of adjacent lands considerable additions were made to the homestead farm, which Mr. Pratt cultivated and greatly improved. He was the pioneer in a branch of industry which has since grown to large proportions in the county, - that of the manufacture of ice cream. This was made on the farm and shipped before the completion of the railroad by boat from Chester to Philadelphia, where a ready market was found. The enterprise proved so profitable as to have induced many others to embark in the business. Mr. Pratt retired from active labor some years before his death, and ultimately removed to Media, where he died on the 5th of March, 1882. He was a Republican in politics, active in the defense of the principles of his party, and a strong and outspoken Abolitionist. He served a term as commissioner of the county, and also held various minor offices. He was for several years identified with the Delaware County Mutual Insurance Company as its president. He was a member of the Delaware County Institute of Science, and a life member of the Pennsylvania Training-School for Feeble-Minded Children, both of which institutions commanded his warmest interest. His influence was ever given in the cause of temperance, both by precept and example. He was one of the board of trustees of the Charter House, in Media, a body with whom he met but a few days prior to his death. He was also one of the early projectors of the Farmers' Market of Philadelphia, now so successfully established. Mr. Pratt was from childhood a member of the society of Friends, and devoted to the faith he espoused.
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