George H. Pradt was born in Pennsylvania and reared in Wisconsin. He came to New Mexico in 1869, commissioned by the government to survey the Navajo reservation. Upon completion of the project, Pradt returned to the east. He made his way back to New Mexico (Santa Fe) in 1872; he worked as a civil engineer and surveyor of public lands and reservations, affiliated with the Territorial Surveyor General's Office. In 1876, Pradt made Laguna Pueblo his permanent residence.
He held positions including deputy surveyor of the District of New Mexico, justice of the peace for Valencia County, governor of Laguna Pueblo, and Deputy United States Marshal. In addition to his career in surveying and engineering, Pradt served in the military. He also was involved in the cattle business and in general merchandise and post trading (with Walter and Robert Marmon). George H. Pradt died at his home in Laguna Pueblo on January 9, 1927.
From the guide to the George H. Pradt Geographic Survey Papers, 1860-1920, (University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research.)
