| From the Portrait and
Biographical Album of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Wisconsin containing
Biographical Sketches and Representative Citizens, Together with the biographies
of all the Governors of the State and of the Presidents of the United States."
Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, 1892. NICHOLAS D. FRATT Hon. Nicholas D. Fratt, is one of a very small number who have lived in Racine for forty-eight years. He was born in the town of Watervleit, Albany County, N. Y. His father, Jacob Fratt, was a native of the same county, wedded Catherine Miller also a native of that county, and settle on a farm, but in later years engaged in the provision and packing business in West Troy. Having lived in New York State till his children were grown and death had called his wife to her spirit home, Mr. Jacob Fratt came to Racine and spent his last day with his children, reaching the age of seventy years. Of their seven children, six live, three making their home at Racine, namely; Mrs. Catherine Ayers, Mrs. Edwin P. Dickey, and our subject. As is the cast with most of the old settlers, Mr. N. D. Fratt had very poor facilities for acquiring an education, only such as the old time district schools afforded. When twelve years of age he began to assist his father in the market and from that time until he was eighteen he was most of the time found at his post of duty. In the fall of 1843 he landed in Racine and was soon at work in a packing-house. The winter was spent in Illinois, but in the spring of 1844 he returned to Racine and in company with Charles Herrick opened a market. After two years the firm was changed by a brother of Mr. Fratt, Francis W., who had just arrived from the East, taking the place of Mr. Herrick. The Fratt brothers carried on quite an extensive market and packing business until 1850. For the next fourteen years Mr. N. D. Fratt was more or less actively engaged in the packing business. Mr. Fratt was one of the originators of the Racine County Bank, which was established in 1853. He served as a Director thereof until 1858 when he was also made President and a Director, which offices he has held continually since, having been longer a bank president than any other man in the county, In 1855 Mr. Fratt purchased a large farm two miles west of Racine, though it now it adjoins the city limited, where he has made his home since. In the county in 1846, Mr. Fratt married Miss Elsie Duffes who was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, August 21, 1827, and when eight years of age came with her parents to Canada and later to Illinois, but was too sickly and about 1840 came to Racine County. Mrs. Fratt died April 28, 1890. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fratt were born six children, Mary, wife of A. J. Webster resides in Menasha, Wis.; Gertrude became the wife of W. S. Miller, general manager of the Northern Pacific Railroad Co., and is now deceased; George N. is paying- teller of the First National Bank of Racine; Frederick W., is chief engineer for the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company; Clara is at home; Charles D., is with the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber co. of Tacoma, Washington, one of the largest concerns of the kind in the Northwest. Contributed by Deborah Crowell |