Henry Otis Pratt

Who was Henry Otis Pratt?

Henry Otis Pratt was a lawyer, Methodist Episcopal minister, and two-term Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa's 4th congressional district.

Born in Foxcroft, Maine, Pratt attended the common schools and Foxcroft Academy. He graduated from Harvard Law School. He moved to Charles City, Iowa, in 1862 and taught school. He was admitted to the bar in Mason City, Iowa, in 1862, but his commencement of practice was delayed by the Civil War.

He enlisted in the Union Army in August 1862 and served in Company B of the 37th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment, until March 1863, when he was discharged at Fort Pillow in Henning, Tennessee. He commenced the practice of law in Charles City, Iowa, in 1864. He was the County superintendent of public schools of Floyd County, Iowa in 1868 and 1869. He served one term as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 1870 to 1872.

In 1872, Pratt was elected as a Republican to represent Iowa's 4th congressional district in the 43rd United States Congress. He was re-elected two years later, and served in the 44th United States Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1876. He served in Congress from March 4, 1873 to March 3, 1877.