Prater/Prather Genealogy* 120,000+ Family Members
John Albert Prather
1875 - 1965 (89 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 2
Generation: 3
1. John Albert Prather was born 21 Nov 1875, ,Van Zandt, Tx; died 12 Feb 1965, Alamogordo, Otero, Nm; was buried , Beside His Ranch House, Under Pecan Tree. Other Events:
- Occupation: Rancher
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
Notes:
John Prather was born in Tx. and moved with his parents to Big Springs, TX.
John A. Praher married Rose Goodman, who later inherited a large sum
of money and cattle after her father and brother died.
John began looking for land in the Otero Mesa area.
He purchased land in Otero Co., N.Mex. near Alamogrodo.
He owned a large Ranch near White Sands Missile Testing Range.
After he and his wife divorced in 1922 he concentrated his ranching
efforts on horse and mule breeding.
He sold many horses and mules to the Mexican Government.
Later as the McGregor Missile Range was developed near White Sands,
the government tried to take his Ranch. Armed with 3 guns he met three
county sheriffs at his gate. He told them that he would not give up his home.
He offered the sheriffs a compremise by offering to lease the government his
land at $1.00 an acre for life and if the sheriffs tried to remove him, he
"did'nt want to shoot anybody - but he would if he had to"!
The government refused his offer and gained his property though the courts.
The court sent him a check to cover his loss but John sent it back to them.
He continued living on the missile range for a while . He said that no
missile ever hit him or his cattle. The government didn't allowed him to stay
his family continued ranching as if nothing had happened. John became ill at
age 88 and went to stay with his niece, where he died.
Mrs. Gaba his daughter continued ranching after his death.
The check which the government sent him ($100,985) remained untouched,
drawing no interest.
John's home is now just an island in the mist of the McGregor Missile Range
of the White Sands Reservation, near Alamogordo, N.Mexico.
It now sets in what has been made a state park.
His home, a seldom used ranger station.John married Rose S. Goodman Penasco, Otero Co., n.Mex.. Rose was born 24 Dec 1884, of in; died Nov 1974. [Group Sheet]
Children:
- 2. Lena Prather
was born , of Nm. - 3. James Prather, Jimmy was born , N.Mex.; died , N.Mex..
- 4. Thomas Ellis Prather was born 19 Jul 1899, Weed, Otero Co., n.Mex.; died 28 Jan 1976, Anthony, Dona Ana Co., n.Mex..
- 5. Commie Catherine Prather was born 14 Sep 1910, Alamogordo, n.Mex.; died 12 Jul 1982, El Paso, Tx..
Generation: 2
2. Lena Prather (1.John1) was born , of Nm. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
3. James Prather, Jimmy (1.John1) was born , N.Mex.; died , N.Mex.. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
4. Thomas Ellis Prather (1.John1) was born 19 Jul 1899, Weed, Otero Co., n.Mex.; died 28 Jan 1976, Anthony, Dona Ana Co., n.Mex.. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
Thomas — Living Thayer. [Group Sheet]
Children:
- 6. Living Prather
- 7. Living Prather
Thomas married Mildred Jean Bullard Mar 1936, El Paso, El Paso Co., Tx.. Mildred was born 24 Aug 1910; died 22 Jan 1978, Las Crruces, Dona Co., n.Mex.; was buried , Masonic Cem.. [Group Sheet]
Children:
- 8. John Ellis Prather was born Sep 1938; died Jan 1942, N.Mex..
- 9. Billy John Prather was born 19 Dec 1942, N.Mex.; died 24 Jan 1962.
5. Commie Catherine Prather (1.John1) was born 14 Sep 1910, Alamogordo, n.Mex.; died 12 Jul 1982, El Paso, Tx.. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
Commie — Glen Hart Gaba. [Group Sheet]
Children:
- 10. Mike Gaba
Generation: 3
6. Living Prather (4.Thomas2, 1.John1)7. Living Prather (4.Thomas2, 1.John1)8. John Ellis Prather (4.Thomas2, 1.John1) was born Sep 1938; died Jan 1942, N.Mex.. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
9. Billy John Prather (4.Thomas2, 1.John1) was born 19 Dec 1942, N.Mex.; died 24 Jan 1962. Other Events:
- Record Change: 12 Apr 2009
10. Mike Gaba (5.Commie2, 1.John1)Notes:
living - details excluded