[Gordon Pratt > Pratt/Eldredge]
Kenneth Herbert Pratt
BIRTH: 24 Jun 1903, So. Ashburnham, Worcester, Massachusetts
DEATH: 01 Sep 1997, Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States
Harriet Louise Howes Eldredge
BIRTH: 22 Feb 1905, Chatham,Barnstable,Massachusetts
DEATH: 24 Apr 1997, Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts, United States
Kenneth H. Pratt
Kenneth was born to Herbert Ashton Pratt (1867-1956) and Ella Frances Edwards (1874-1957). He was the second of two boys (Harold E (1895-1970) was 8 years his senior). Herbert A (44) was a supervisor in a chair shop in Ashburnham as of 1910. He and Ella (36) had been married for 18 years. They lived on School street in South Ashburnham.
In 1920, the Pratts lived on 104 Peabody Street in Gardner, Massachusetts, the chair-making capital. Herbert A was now a foreman at one of the chair factories in town. The census taker accidentally recorded Harold as a grandson.
Kenneth was a four year college grad (according to 1940 Census), and Harriet had graduated High School.
Harriet L. H. Eldredge
"Lou" was born in Chatham on a cold winters day in 1905 to Joshua Clarence Eldredge (1862-1949) and Clara Burgess (1868-1941). She was the youngest of three children, but the only one to survive childhood. She had an infant older brother live only 6 days in 1897, and her older sister Christine (1900-1906) died of influenza when Lou was just a year old. For all intents and purposes, Lou was raised as an only child.
Harriet lived her whole life at Chatham. As a young girl, she walked to school. The school was on the corner of Cedar Street and Stage Harbor Road, and she had to walk past Oyster Pond. In the winter time, it was absolutely freezing cold, the wind coming across the water.
As of 1910, her parents Joshua (48) and Clara (40) had been married for 14 years. Joshua was a seaman on a "tow boat", and their daughter Harriett (5) was at home with mother.
By 1920, they were renting on Main Street, while Joshua (58) was Mate on an Ocean Tug. Clara (50) and Harriet (14) were at home between neighbors, widow Eliza Hallett and coast guard cook Jesse Tuttle.
Married Life
Lou worked as a secretary down at Cape and Vineyard (electric company) down on Main Street. There she met Ken, who had come from South Ashburnham. He eventually became district manager at Cape and Vineyard.
On their way to their honeymoon, Ken played a prank on Lou. They were to catch the train out of Hyannis, and Ken had a gentleman by the name of Alrich Copley, who worked as a lineman for the electric company. He came onto the train and physically picked up Lou, and took her off of the train. Ken stayed on the train and went to the next train station, before Alrich Copley drove to the next train station to get them together again.
By 1930, they had been married for a few years (perhaps ~1925?)
"Harriet" (25) and "Kenneth" (26) were raising their son Kenneth Jr (2 1/2) while renting a house for $40 a month in Chatham near the intersection of Bar Cliff Ave and Old Harbor Road. Ken worked as a superintendent at the Electric Company.
By 1940, they had added two other boys to the family in addition to Kenneth Jr (12), Gordon B (9) and John M (5 months). Ken had been promoted to District Manager for Cape and Vineyard Electric Company.
Kenneth "Herb" Jr (1928-Living)
Gordon B (1931-Living) m. Jean Macdonald
John Mossman (1939-1999) partner: Susie Fishback
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| Grandpa Ken and Grandma Lou with Gordon, Herb, and John at their 50th Anniversary |
From a hand-written Resume in the possession of Gordon Pratt:
Resume of Kenneth H Pratt, Sr
- Born June 24, 1905, So. Ashburnham, Mass.
- Educated in Gardner, Mass Schools
- Graduated June 1925, M E degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Frat
- Employed by former Cape & Vineyard Elec Co in Falmouth in June 1925
- Transferred to Chatham in January 1926 as Supt for Harwich, Chatham, and Orleans.
- Retired in 1968 as Manager for towns of Chatham, Harwich, Orleans, Brewster, and Eastham
- Charter Member and for several years Treasurer of Central Cape Kiwanis Club,
- Chairman of Chatham Finance Committee from 1950 to 1956.
- Chairman of Chatham Commerce Committee from 1960 to 1968.
- Director of former Chatham Trust Co. from 1954 to 1979.
Lou died in 1997 at the age of 92. She was buried at Seaside Cemetery in Chatham. Ken died 6 months later (also in 1997) at the age of 94. They are buried together.
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