James Timothy PRATT, Congress, CT (1802-1887)

PRATT, James Timothy, a Representative from Connecticut; born in Cromwell, Conn., December 14, 1802; attended the common schools; engaged in mercantile and agricultural pursuits in Hartford, Conn.; enlisted in the “Horse Guard” in 1820; mayor 1826-1829; elected major of the First Regiment of Cavalry in 1834; colonel in 1836; brigadier general 1837-1839; major general 1839-1846; adjutant general in 1846; retired from mercantile pursuits and settled in Rocky Hill, Conn.; member of the State house of representatives in 1847, 1848, and 1850; served in the State senate in 1852; again a member of the State house of representatives in 1857 and 1862; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1853-March 3, 1855); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1854 to the Thirty-fourth Congress; unsuccessful candidate for election as Governor in 1858 and 1859; member of the peace convention of 1861 held in Washington, D.C., in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war; again a member of the State house of representatives in 1870 and 1871; engaged in agricultural pursuits; died in Wethersfield, Hartford County, Conn., April 11, 1887; interment in Indian Hill Cemetery, Middletown, Conn.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present