The Pratt Family Papers spans the years 1825-1950. It contains historical correspondence and diaries related to the early settlement of the San Joaquin Valley.

Jean Noack Pratt (1916-2008), lived in Dixon, California. Her collection chronicles the lives of her ancestors, who were pioneers of California's San Joaquin Valley. Pratt wrote three genealogical books, Finally California, The Noack-Haussler Story and A Van Fossen Family Genealogy. Pratt's great-grandparents, Ernest Wagener (1811-1893) and Henrietta Eichoff (1824-1869) were emigrants from Germany. They were among the early settlers of San Joaquin Valley, ultimately settling on the Stanislaus River near Mariposa, California. The family ran the Zinc House stage coach stop which was located near Stockton on the French Camp Road. Their daughter, Louisa Christina Wagener (1853-1931), wrote a diary, which is the only known first-hand account of life at a stage coach stop in the San Joaquin Valley. Alfred Noack (1848-1922) married Louisa Christina Wagener. Noack worked in the threshing business. Walter Pratt (1880-1949) was the son of Alfred and Louisa. He was an inventor and machinist, working for many farm equipment companies such as Braden Manufacturing Company, the Sage-Noack Gas Traction Company, Best Tractor Company, and Caterpillar Tractor Company.

3.2 linear feet; 66 Gelatin dry plates glass negatives, 6 Albumen prints, and 5 negatives

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