SAMUEL E. PRATHER is numbered among the most pushing and energetic men in the city of Springfield. He is engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, and when a few years since he embarked in this enterprise, he brought to it the excellent judgment and energy which had previously characterized him in a different line of work. His ability as a business man is shown in the appearance of the establishment over which he has control and the success which he is meeting in trade. Mr. Prather is also interested in two other undertakings, one of these, the Sattley Manufacturing Company, being engaged in manufacturing a large line of agricultural implements, including straw-stackers, and patent buggy poles, etc. The other factory of which he is the principal owner, is a new enterprise in the West and is engaged in manufacturing patent wall plaster which is put in barrels or sacks, and shipped throughout the State. This factory is an immense success, having more orders now than can be filled and almost entirely taking the place of the old material, in the city of Springfield where it is located.

The parents of our subject are John and Mary J. (Jones) Prather, the former a son of Enos and Mary (Sargent) Prather and born December 16, 1813. When but fifteen years old he began farming and stock raising with his brothers, Enos and William, and continued in business with them sixteen years. Before the days of railroad transportation he drove cattle from Ohio to Philadelphia and New York. IN 1867 he came to this State and located in Springfield where he resided ten years. He ten removed to Williamsville, where he still resides, active in mind and body and possessed of all his old time energy. He is a large land owner, possessing fine farms in this and Logan Counties, and in Pike County, Ohio. The land in the Buckeye State comprises fourteen hundred acres, which was originally purchased by his grandfather Sargent in 1794. Mr. Prather, in connection with others, has been interested in the importation of fine cattle from England. He was one of the first stockholders in the State National Bank of Springfield. While living in Ohio he was Assistant Assessor of the United States Internal Revenue for the Twelfth District of that State. His father was one of the first Circuit Judges in Pike County, Ohio.

The subject of this sketch opened his eyes to the light in Pike County, Ohio, August 27, 1850. He inherits many fo the good qualities of his father, whose record as a dealer in and producer of fine stock he has perpetuated. He has taken many premiums with his herd of cattle and how has one of the finest and largest herds of Short-horns in Central Illinois, while his flock of recorded Southdown sheep is the largest in the West. His annual sales occur during the spring of each year, attracting buyers from many of the Western States. He is thoroughly alive to his interests in the affairs of life and is well educated, having had the advantage of thorough training in the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. In 1885 he began the business in which he is now engaged.

The home of Mr. Prather is under the skillful management of a lady who became his wife July 14, 1875. She was known in her maidenhood as Miss Ida Henkle, is the daughter of Enos M. and Martha (Condell) Henkle and was born in this county. She had the advantage of excellent schooling and good home training, and has not only a cultured mind, but a character which well qualifies her to discharge the duties which lie before her at home and in society. To Mr. and Mrs. Prather five children have come, of whom the living are May, John, Grace and Florence.

Earnest in all business enterprises, those who know Mr. Prather would expect him to be equally so in other matters to which he gave any attention, and such is found to be the case. He is an ardent Republican, doing all that a private citizen can to advance the interests of the party. He takes hold of all enterprises that are calculated to improve the city which he has chosen for his home and increase the prosperity of the surrounding country. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church and here also he is anxious to discharge his obligations.