The Keithsburg Chronicles

The Family of
Avarilla Boner and John Pratt

John Pratt, son of John and Avarilla Pratt, and brother of Rezin Pratt, was born in Fayette Co., Penn., in 1815. His father, a German by descent and a native of Maryland, moved with his parents to Fayette Co., Pnen., where he married Mrs. Avarilla Boner.

Eleven children was the result of this union all born in, penn.  His father first moved to Union co. in Ind. in 1830 where they remained till 1838 at which time they moved to Mercer co. Il. first settling in Eliza township where he lived til they moved to his son Johas" house in New Boston.Here he died, his wife failing seven years later. His oldest daughter, Eliza, died in 1839, and was the first death in Eliza Township (I saw her grave). Jonah resided in New Boston, where he settled in 1852. Nance, widow of Wesley Wicks, resides with her brother Jonah; Avarilla, wife of Elish Essley, resides in Kansas.

It is said: One day, Jonah Pratt and his family wre traveling on a horse and buggy through a road in the forest beside what is now the freeway that becomes 3rd Street in Keithsburg. They came upon a wounded Indian. Jonah promptly took off the wagon tongue, and beat the Indian to death with it, fearing that he would turn on them when he got better.