Pratt, Robert

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Pratt, Robert

Watercolour portrait by John Sowden of Councillor Robert Pratt. "Was born at Lomeshaye, Nelson, Lancashire in 1844. His school days were passed at the Church School at Brierfield but his school life was terminated at the age of 12, when he along with the family, came to Bradford.
In due time he was apprenticed to Messrs. Sugden & Briggs, Spinners and Manufacturers. When quite a young man he entered business in partnership with his brother and brother in law and also at one time with a Mr. Mortimer. After a time the partnership dissolved and Mr. Pratt remained the head of the firm of Messrs. Pratt Bros, Wool Merchants.
Mr. Pratt entered the Town Council in 1883 and served also in the Liberal interest in each case without a contest & it was not until 1892 that any opposition was offered.
In that year the Conservatives and the Labour Party challenged him, but the recorded vote was larger than others opponents combined. In 1898 the Conservative and the Labour Party again contested the Ward but he still proved the victor. He was elected an Alderman in 1898 & at the expiration of his time retired. As a member of the Council for an unbroken period of 21 years, Mr. Pratt's services were remarkable. He was chairman of the Sewage Committee in connection with which office he had a seat on the West Riding Rivers Board.
Mr. Pratt played a prominent part in the political affairs of Bradford. In his retirement he was enabled to indulge his love of sport. As a breeder of spaniels he was at one time noted throughout the County as the possessor of dogs which were the premier prize winners, and in his kennels he took up the breeding of bloodhounds with similar success. Mr. Pratt married a daughter of Mr. Benjamin Russell of Bradford. He was married a second(?) time but died without issue." Taken from John Sowden's notebook.

Creator

John Sowden

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sowden-196