OF THE SADDLE AND SIRLOIN CLUB 309 
Archer, sent to Mr. Dustin by Durute, 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 fellowmen. 
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.” 
