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Spotlighting “The Ohio Guide” and a subsequent revelation about obscure Wellington, Lorain County, Ohio artist and sculptor, Otis C. Pratt.
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"The Ohio Guide" was part of the "American Guide Series" that came under the WPA Federal Writers' Project.
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The Campbell Library at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey has an
extensive history on this subject posted online.
The results of conducting a word search for the word "cemetery" in
the online version of "The Ohio Guide" produced 44
"hits".
One particular “hit” appears on Page 125 for Otis C. Pratt who was buried at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wellington, Lorain County, Ohio.:
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Below is a partial transcription of Page 125 of “The Ohio Guide” that includes a tombstone inscription transcription offered by the unknown writer under the category of “Art”.:
“In wind-swept Greenwood Cemetery on the edge of the village of
Wellington, Lorain County, is the grave of a neglected artist who composed for
his headstone an unusual epitaph. This
plaintive cry, perpetuated by Otis C. Pratt (1845-1921), gives voice to the
sense of bafflement that must have been common to many artists in early Ohio who
found themselves without encouragement or support;
"Stranger: I live in an Age when
coruption [sic] was in our Government
and the ballot box was begged [sic] for;
When martyred Presidents and riots
echoed over our land; When Law and
respect clung to the rich and shunned
the poor; When money and fashion
had the brains, and Talent went
over the waters, for want of Free
Schools of Art supported by our
Government. Such were the conditions
which caused my Landscape discovery
to decay with me, as Nature shows it.
Farewell P.R.A.T.T."
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An overview of Otis C. Pratt’s Life Story:
Otis C. Pratt’s parents were Lyman Pratt and Rachel Camilla Warner Pratt who were married November 28, 1844 in Lorain County, Ohio.:
Lyman B. Pratt, Otis C. Pratt’s father, was born in Deerfield, Oneida County, New York in 1821.
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Otis was living with his parents in the following U. S. census records: 1850, 1860 and 1870, in Huntington Township, in Southern Lorain County.
1850 U. S. Census – Huntington Township, Lorain County, Ohio.:
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1860 U. S. Census –
Huntington Township, Lorain County, Ohio (pages 56 and 57). Lyman Pratt was age
38, Camilla Pratt, his wife, was age 34, Otis was age 14, and Ella was age
9. A servant, Fanny Chapman, age 19,
lived in the household.:
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During the middle 1860’s Otis C. Pratt attended Oberlin College.:
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1870 U. S. Census – Huntington Township, Lorain County, Ohio. The 1870 U. S.
Census, Otis C. Pratt was age 24, and his occupation was Artist. The family was
doing well because we see a farm laborer, Adam Uloth, and a domestic servant,
Emma Woods who lived with them.
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On September 12, 1870, Otis C. Pratt applied for a passport to travel first to Liverpool, England.
Next, he went to Florence Italy, and then “the continent of Europe generally”.:
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Below, this single sentence announcement in the “Elyria Independent Democrat” newspaper - Elyria, Ohio, dated May 22, 1872, tells us quite a lot about Mr. Otis C. Pratt of Huntington Township! However, in reality, he may have only been gone for a little less than two years based on the U.S. 1870 Census, and his September 12, 1870 passport application (see above.). Still, it is wonderful to see that he had been pursing his study of sculpture and has returned home!
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On January 8, 1877, Rachel Camilla Warner Pratt, Otis C. Pratt’s mother, passes away from cancer. She was buried at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wellington, Lorain County, Ohio.:
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October 1, 1879 – Lyman B. Pratt marries Hattie Johnston in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.:
Below is a the 1880
U.S. Census for Lyman Pratt and his second wife, Hattie Pratt.
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Below is a possible record for Otis C. Pratt shown in an 1887 Census. However, it was for the then Territory of Washington.
Otis' age, home state of Ohio, and occupation all do fit for information appropriate for Otis C. Pratt – listed in this record as O. C. Pratt.
This record may provide a clue explaining why he does not show up in the 1880 census in Ohio.
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However, Otis C. Pratt, age 52, born November,
1847, is listed in the 1900 U. S. Census, residing in Wellington Village,
Lorain County, Ohio.
His occupation appears to state.: “Painter House.”
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Below is the 1910 U. S. Census for Otis C. Pratt – living in Wellington Village, Lorain County, Ohio. His age was 64. He was listed as being Single.
His occupation
was given as Sculptor of Fine Art.
So, it appears that Otis has established
himself in Wellington, and was engaging in artistic work as a Sculptor in Fine
Art.
:
Otis C. Pratt - Elyria Evening Telegram - September 30 1916
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Below is the final U. S. Census for Otis C. Pratt.:
In the 1920 U. S. Census, Otis C. Pratt was shown as being age 73. His status was
Single. He was living as a renter in
Wellington Village, at 120 East Clay Street.
His occupation was listed as “none”.
Ohio is listed as his birthplace.
Re-reading Otis C. Pratt’s sad epitaph, we
have to ask why he felt so compelled to
express himself in such a revealing and
lasting way?
Looking beyond his lamenting the lack of government supported free public art schools in America, perhaps he harbored a deeper more personal hurt that negatively affected his self- confidence as a gifted artist.
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One possibility that comes to mind is the well-known nineteenth and early twentieth century Wellington artist, Archibald M. Willard.
When we think of Archibald M. Willard, his painting of the “Spirit of ’76” might be top of mind. However, as many know he painted several highly regarded paintings in his lifetime.
One such painting is entitled “The Blue Girl”. The blue girl was Hattie Adele Pratt. Archibald M. Willard was commissioned by Hattie’s father to paint her portrait a few years after her death based on a photograph of her.
Below is my print of “The Blue Girl” – Hattie Pratt – painted by Archibald M. Willard.
Perhaps Otis would have liked to have been the artist chosen by his uncle to paint such a special painting of his infant cousin; but we may never really know.
It is unknown at this time if Otis C. Pratt signed any of his artistic works – paintings or sculptures.
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Thanking Mr. Alan Leiby for his photos of the weathered white marble mid-size monument at the gravesite of Otis C. Pratt and his mother Rachel Camilla Warner Pratt.
The rather lengthy epitaph printed in “The Ohio Guide” on page 125 is not shown on Otis’ side of the monument. The monument needs some cleaning, but overall is in good shape for its age.
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