California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 HALE PRATHER.� Characteristics of a high order have attracted the attention of the people of Mendocino county to Mr. Prather, who has recently received the election, at the primary, to county clerk by a majority of twenty- four hundred and eighty-one votes. He is the grandson of William Prather, a pioneer farmer and stockman of Anderson, Cal., he having crossed the plains with ox-teams in the early '50s. Following mining for a short time throughout that section he finally settled in Anderson Valley and there died. His son, John T. Prather, was born in Anderson Valley, where he was reared and fol- lowed farming until 1894, then locating eight miles west of Ukiah, where he engaged in sheep raising until his retirement from active labor. He is now living retired in Ukiah, with his wife, who before her marriage was Kate Brown, daughter of Dr. John T. Brown, who brought his family across the plains in 1849 and located in Napa county. Dr. Brown practiced his profession here for some years, in 1854 moving to Anderson Valley, and making his residence at Philo, there pursuing his professional duties until his death. The birth of Hale Prather occurred in Anderson Valley February 27, 1890, be being the oldest of five children born to his parents. A ranch life was his during early boyhood, and the public schools of Ukiah and the Ukiah high school furnished him his educational training. Graduating in 1908, he then spent one year in graduate work, subsequently working in San Francisco for eighteen months, as a stenographer, with a wholesale wool house. He then returned to Ukiah and accepted a position under Hale McCowen, county clerk of Mendocino county, and since June, 1910, he has satisfactorily performed the duties of deputy clerk. Before the primary election of 1914 Mr. McCowen announced his decision not to be a candidate to the office for re-election. Mr. Prather accordingly announced himself as candidate, with the result of his election to the office with such a splendid majority. He will continue his deputyship until January, 1915, when he will enter the office as head For the past two years he has also been the county purchasing agent, appointed by the board of supervisors, and his capabilities have been evidenced in the sagacious execution of the duties of that position. Alert, intelligent and high principled, he has proved himself a trustworthy and public-spirited citizen, in whom the faith of the public is well founded. Mr. Prather owns a comfortable bungalow on State street, Ukiah, where he resides with his wife and one child. He married June 14, 1912, Miss Caroline Beckley, a native of Cahto. this county, and daughter of Christian and Anna (Keller) Beckley, born in North Dakota and Switzerland, respectively. Mr. Beckley is a machinist and has spent many years in the lumber mills in different sections of the state as a machinist, in which capacity he has earned a wide reputation for ability. He now makes his home in Ukiah. Mrs. Prather graduated from the Ukiah high school in 1909. She is a loving mother to their one child. Margaret Ernestine, and in many instances has proved herself a valued helpmeet to her progressive husband. Fraternally a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Ukiah, !Mr. Prather is a consistent Republican in political issues. He is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he and his wife both are devout members.