Representative Harry Hayt Pratt

Harry Hayt Pratt served as a Representative from New York in the United States Congress from 1915 to 1919. A member of the Republican Party, Harry Hayt Pratt contributed to the legislative process during 2 terms in office.

Harry Hayt Pratt’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the House of Representatives, Harry Hayt Pratt participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Harry Hayt Pratt (November 11, 1864 – November 13, 1932) was a U.S. representative from New York. Born in Corning, New York, Pratt attended Corning Union School and graduated from Corning Free Academy in 1882. His family owned the Corning Weekly Journal, and Pratt served as associate editor from 1882 to 1891. When the paper shifted to seven day a week publication, Pratt was associate editor of the Corning Daily Journal from 1891 to 1906, and editor of the Daily Journal and manager of the Corning Journal Publishing Company from 1906 to 1919. In 1892 he married Clarissa Chapman Spencer. They were the parents of six children: Sophie and George (twins); Hugh; Harriet; Ransom; and Helen. Pratt was active in the Masons and the Elks. A Republican, he served in local offices including member of the board of health, and he attended numerous local, county, and state party conventions. He served as one of Corning’s members of the Steuben County Board of Supervisors in 1898 and 1899. Pratt was assistant postmaster of Corning while his father served as postmaster; the younger Pratt was appointed postmaster on September 8, 1905 and served until January 27, 1914. He was a delegate to the Republican state conventions in 1908 and 1910. He was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1919). He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1918. After leaving Congress, Pratt engaged in publicity work for the United States Department of Labor and the War Risk Insurance Bureau from 1919 to 1921. He was a public relations counselor for the Erie Railroad Company from 1923 to 1928, and managing editor of the Erie Railroad Magazine. He also served as a director of the Corning Free Library and the Corning Chamber of Commerce. He died in Corning on November 13, 1932, and was interred at Hope Cemetery in Corning.