Raymond W. Prather

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Raymond married Rae Grove of Crawford Co., Pa. Rae was born , of Crawford Co., Pa. [Group Sheet]

Raymond married Lucille Hinman of Crawford Co., Pa. Lucille was born , of Crawford Co., Pa. [Group Sheet]

1. Living Prather

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

After their marriage in 1857, John & Mary moved to Troy Twp, Crawford Co., Pa.
* miles west of Titusville. In the early spring they built a log house in the
center of the heavily wooded forest. In 1869 they built a large farm house on
the opposite, south side of the highway leading from townville to Hydetown &
Titusville. This house is one of the old landmarks in the township. In the log
house was born the first 6 of their 11 children.
The house was nearly square, slightly longer than wide, built of hewn and
blocked logs with a large rough stone chimney in the center of one end making
a houge fireplace. There was no stairway to the loft or second story; it was
reached through a square hole in one corner by means of a crude ladder formed
by nailingt cleats upon stringers also nailed to the logs. The recollection of
Thomas J. Prather is that there were but 2 windows in the log home - one by
the side of the door in fromt and one at the rear.
Later a lean-to of lumber was built on and against the east end, adding much
to the room and comfort of the home. Wehn John M. Prather began his live in
troy Twp with his 19 yearr old bride, it was upon a wild woodland with not one
foor of cleared land... His chief occupation was farming, his secondary
activity was sawmilling. He and his brother James C. Prather owned and upright
running sawmill; afterward he built and operated a mondern circular sawmill on
his own farm. He also engaged for 6 years in a general merchandise business,
known as a country store, at Troy Center.
He was a Demorcrat. Later he was a free lance, rather than a party slave,
being at different times affiliated with the Prohibition, Greenback, and
Populist parties. (research by Paul Prather)

John married Sarah Jane Strawbridge 31 Dec 1857, Venango Co., Pa.. Sarah was born Abt 1838, of, Venango, Pa. [Group Sheet]

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

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• Ancestral File Number: KXZN-R7
• Occupation: Farmer; Mercantile
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

From the History of Venango Co., Pa.:

Thomas Prather attended school at Cherrytree, a distance of 3.5 miles
through the woods. In 1832 he settled on 6o acres which he fell heir to from
his fathers estate. thomas and Marry lived in a hewed log house, 2 stories
high with a chimney on each story. He afterwoards purchased the Samuel Irwin
tract of land and erected a more comfortable dwelling. Soon after his removal
to his new residence he engages in the mercantile business in connection with
farming. At one time he owned 1500 acres of land.

Thomas married Mary Ann McCalmont Venango Co., Pa.. Mary (daughter of Thomas McCalmont and Mrs Thomas McCalmont) was born Abt 1815, Cherrytree, Venango, Pa; died 06 Mar 1879, Cherrytree, Venango, Pa; was buried , Cherrytree Cem.. [Group Sheet]

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

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• Ancestral File Number: 9PJ7-C8
• Occupation: Planter; Blacksmith
• Reference Number: 6.411.02
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Notes:

Listed Venango Co., PA. in 1800 census Roll #43 p.587

Henry Prather migrated from eastern Pa. with his parents about 1800 and
settled in Allegheny Twp, now Cherrytree Twp, Venango Co., Pa. The records fo
the Land Office at Harrisburg, PA. indicate he served in the War of 1812;
that in 1802 he purchased 408 acres from the state in Cherrytree Twp along Big
Sugar Cr,. There he built a log house where he lived until his death. He was a
farmer and a blacksmith; it is said he possessed the art of making bells.

A legend in the family about the death of Henry Prather:

When grandfather Henry died he left a large family of small children.
He was hauled to his grave on a pine sled drawn by a team of oxen and was
buried on a knoll in an unmarked grave. The knoll was said to be near
Petroleum Center.

He lived at Prather's Corners, Cherrytree Township, Venango Co., Pa. on
Big Sugar Creek.

Henry married Lydia Ricketts Abt 1800, of Cherrytree Twp, Venango, Pa. Lydia (daughter of Edward C Ricketts and Squaw Indian) was born 05 Aug 1778, Baccaria Twp., Blair, Blair Co, Pa; died 01 Jun 1855, Cherrytree Twp, Venango, Pa; was buried , Cherrytree Cem, Cherrytree Twp, Venango Co., Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet]

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• Ancestral File Number: 9PJ7-7K
• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009

Thomas married Mrs Thomas McCalmont of Venango, Pa. Mrs was born , of, Venango, Pa. [Group Sheet]

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• Record Change: 12 Apr 2009