William Henry Pratt was born in Saybrook, Connecticut. Following the discovery of gold in California, he sailed from New York in 1848, arriving aboard the California in San Francisco in February 1849. He returned briefly to New York before going into trade in California, eventually establishing a hotel and store at Georgetown in 1854 after a series of business failures. Pratt was actively involved in advancing the Republican Party in California, and was nominated for State Senate in 1856 and 1860. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him Receiver of Public Moneys at the Humboldt Land Office in Eureka, California. He was also appointed Collector of Customs for Humboldt by President Chester A. Arthur in 1883 and as Surveyor General of California by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890. Pratt died in Easton, California, at age 84.
From the description of William Henry Pratt materials, 1882-1908. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 647767386
