Sacramento County
Biographies
FRANCIS WILLIAM FRATT
FRANCIS WILLIAM FRATT--Throughout a period covering almost sixty years, the life
of Francis William Fratt 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 his 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, New York, he met at school a lad named Leland Stanford, whose name
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, Mr. Fratt became interested in
the cattle industry. For years he engaged in the business upon a very large
scale, making Sacramento his headquarters. His large enterprises brought large
returns, and the fruits of his labors were evidenced by increasing
possessions. During the early days he owned the Tomes Grant in Tehama County, but he disposed of it in 1879 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 of his real estate in Sacramento, where he owned the Fratt Building at 200 K Street,
the Union Hotel and the Orleans Hotel, besides other business properties. In
1908 he erected a magnificent residence at 1511 P Street, and there, amid its beautiful surroundings, with all the
luxuries of life, ministered to by a devoted wife and blessed by the admiration
and respect of hosts of friends, he resided in full enjoyment of a life well
spent.
Mr. Fratt was
very liberal and charitable, and he recognized a man for his true worth. Thus,
when the contractor who built the Fratt building had
completed his work satisfactorily and well, Mr. Fratt
appreciated his thoroughness and gave him $1000 more than was stipulated in the
contract price. He was very generous; and so, after achieving success for
himself, he did not hesitate to assist others. He left a liberal bequest to the
city library for the purchase of suitable pictures and ornaments to be placed
there for public enjoyment, a gift that Mrs. Fratt
carried out so generously that there is still a fund for the purpose. The
political views of Mr. Fratt brought him into hearty
accord with Democratic principles. Fraternally he held membership in the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he was greatly interested, and to
which he left a substantial bequest. His passing, on September 16, 1909, left a void in the community in which he had lived and
labored; and his mortal remains were placed in a beautiful vault erected to his
memory in the Odd Fellow's Cemetery by his devoted widow.
In his marriage to Cornelia E. Bromley,
which was solemnized at Sacramento, October 31, 1879,
Mr. Fratt 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, N. Y.,
she was the daughter of Harvey Bromley, sheriff of Clinton County. After completing the studies of the Plattsburg
Academy, Mrs. Bromley came to California in 1868; the then recent building of the railroad enabled
her to travel a considerable portion of the distance by train, the balance of
the journey being 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 orphanage, her services covering twenty-seven years; for
twenty-three years of this time she entertained the children from the orphanage
at her home each year, on Independence Day, giving them a rare treat. With
others she established the Sacramento Children's Home, has served from its
organization as a member of the board, and was a leader in securing funds for
the erection of its building at Ninth and X Streets. In addition to her other philanthropics, she has given distinctive civic service
through her judicious labors as a member of the board of park commissioners of Sacramento. At her own expense she built the bandstand and comfort
station in the public park at Fifteenth and P Streets. To the Congregational
Church she has been very liberal in her donations; among other generous gifts,
she gave them the property on the northeast corner of Fifteenth and P Streets,
from which the church is now deriving a substantial
revenue. She also gave the Tuesday Club, of which she is a member, $18,000 for
a pipe organ. She is very liberal in her contributions to charities, giving
many kindly and needed aids to the unfortunate; for her heart and thought go
out in intense desire for the uplift and welfare of the city in which she has
spent her active and useful years, doing all in her power to enhance the comfort
and happiness of the people.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento
County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Pages 280-285.
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.