OF THE SADDLE AND SIRLOIN CLUB 309 



Archer, sent to MR. DUSTIN by DUTHIE, for his interest in the 

 older bull. In late years he has used another bull of excellent 

 character and some renown as a sire, the white Silver Knight, by 

 Good Knight, by Choice Knight, by Choice Goods. 



For many years Williamsville was without a bank, and in the 

 early 90's, MR. PRATHER, MR. GROVES (118), the elder JONES 

 and W. L. PERCE formed the corporation of J. F. PRATHER & 

 Co., to establish a banking business. From the outset MR. 

 PRATHER was president of the organization, and he has developed 

 a large banking institution. For a number of years MR. PRATHER 

 was a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and acted as 

 treasurer both before and after its re-organization. For many 

 years he was active in the American Shorthorn Association, 

 being a director for twenty-two seasons, and president from 

 December, 1908, to December, 1910. Here he proved a great 

 steadying influence, and his word carried great weight in all of 

 the breed councils. MR. PRATHER has been fortunate in securing 

 title to large acreage of farm lands in Illinois, Missouri and 

 Kansas, and has established one of the most satisfactory tenant 

 systems in the corn belt He is generous and wise and has done 

 much that is philanthropic in his relations to his fellownien. 



With modest humor MR. PRATHER says, "Fortune has smiled 

 upon me from the start. I escaped the political germ, always 

 so prolific in the dear old Buckeye state, and never held a poli- 

 tical office in my life. What positions of trust or honor I have 

 occupied were due to the kindness of my friends and not on 

 account of any marked ability on my part for the work. If the 

 sun shines upon me as bright and my friends remain as true for 

 the balance of the time alloted me, I will feel well repaid for 

 any suffering or disappointments I have experienced. Yester- 

 day is gone, the books are balanced, and all I ask of tomorrow 

 is health, and the respect and good will of my neighbors and 

 friends." 



