Pratt-Strenger Family
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Francis Nelson Pratt’s diverse skill set was vital in getting Lake Forest off the ground. He arrived in 1857 and immediately began constructing some of the town’s first buildings and bridges. After finishing the Academy building, he immediately sat down and taught mathematics there. Mr. Pratt was the town’s constable and postmaster and depotmaster as well as master of his own dry goods store next to the family home on Western Avenue.
Francis Nelson Pratt’s multifaceted service to the community continued in subsequent generations. His granddaughter (and namesake) Frances married Henry Strenger, who founded the family plumbing business in 1913. Their sons Marshall and Donald both answered the call as local public servants: Marshall was mayor of Lake Forest from 1987 to 1990, and Donald served on the Lake County Board for 22 years.
Nomination submitted by Gale Strenger Wayne
Click the thumbnail images below for a slide show about the Pratt-Strenger family from the 2011 Centennial Family Awards.
