Biographies
FRANCIS WILLIAM FRATT
Throughout a period covering almost sixty
years life of Francis William Pratt rendered useful and significant service to
the material development of California, his helpful activities ceasing only
with his final departure from the scenes familiar to maturity. It was his high
privilege to witness the remarkable advancement made by the west from the era
of gold discovery until the twentieth century had brought its matchless
progress into the world. Coincident with that advancement was his own rise to influence and local distinction. Many were
the changes that entered into his personal history from the far distant days
when as a boy in his native city of Albany, N. Y., he met at school a lad named
Leland Stanford, whose name later became inseparably interwoven with the
development of the western country. Later, while crossing the plains with
horses and oxen in a large expedition, he formed the acquaintance of Charles W.
Coil, for many years one of the most distinguished citizens of Woodland.
Shortly after his arrival in the Sacramento Valley he began to be interested in
the cattle industry. For years he engaged in the business upon a very large
scale, making Sacramento his head-quarters. Large enterprises brought large returns.
The fruits of his labors were evidenced by increasing possessions. For years he
paid taxes upon broad tracts of farming land. During the early days he owned
the Tomes grant in Tehama County, but during 1879 he sold it to Mr. Blossom and
invested the returns in other property, mainly city real estate. In the latter
part of his life, after he had relinquished his extensive stock interests, he
devoted considerable attention to the care and improvement of his real estate
in Sacramento, where he erected the Fratt building at
No. 200 K street, the Union hotel and the Orleans
hotel. In 1908 he erected a magnificent residence at No. 1511 P street. Amid the beautiful surroundings of Park View Place,
with all the luxuries of life, ministered to by a devoted wife and blessed by
the admiration and respect of hosts of friends, he passed the twilight of a
useful existence and thence September 16, 1909, he entered into the rest of
eternity.
The political views of Mr. Fratt brought him into hearty accord with Democratic
principles. Fraternally he held membership with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. In his marriage, which was solemnized at Sacramento October 31, 1879,
he was especially fortunate, for his wife was a young lady not only of fine
family and excellent education, but also of gentle character and attractive
personal endowments. Born in Plattsburg, Clinton County, N. Y., she was a
daughter of Harvey Bromley, sheriff of that county. After having completed the
studies of the Plattsburg academy, Miss Cornelia E. Bromley came to
California in 1868. The recent building of the railroad enabled her to travel a
considerable portion of the distance by train. The balance of the journey was
made by stage. From young girlhood she has been a sincere member of the Congregational
Church. Philanthropic by nature, solicitous to aid the unfortunate, she was
particularly helpful as a member of the board of trustees of the orphan asylum
(later known as the orphanage), her service in that organization covering a
period of twenty-seven years. Aiding Mrs. Clayton, Mrs. Huntoon
and Mrs. Mandeville, she established the Sacramento Children's Home and served
from its organization as a member of the board. She was the first to solicit
subscription for the erection of a suitable building on the corner of Ninth and
X streets. At this writing she acts as vice-president of the home. For
twenty-two successive years she entertained the children from the Home on the
4th of July for an all-day pleasure excursion, besides giving them entertainments
and treats on other holidays. In addition to her other philanthropies she has
given distinct civic service through her judicious labors as a member of the
Sacramento board of park commissioners.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 1043-1045.
Historic Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.