Nicholas D. Fratt

Nicholas Diller Fratt
Born	Template:Birth date Watervliet, New York, U.S.
Died	November 12, 1910(1910-11-12) (aged 85) Redlands, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, banker, politician
Years active	1843–circa 1908
Known for	President of Racine County Bank; Wisconsin State Senator (1859–1860)

Nicholas Diller Fratt (January 25, 1825 – November 12, 1910) was a prominent American entrepreneur, Democratic public official, and early settler of Wisconsin. He led the Racine County Bank as its president for five decades and was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate between 1859 and 1860. Fratt also pursued higher political offices, including bids for the U.S. House of Representatives and the governorship of Wisconsin, though he was unsuccessful in these campaigns. Fratt Elementary School in Racine, Wisconsin, bears his name in honor of his contributions.

Biography

Fratt was born in Watervliet, New York, on January 25, 1825. His early career involved working in his father's provision and packing enterprise. In 1843, he moved to the Wisconsin Territory's Racine area, where he initially found employment at a packing facility. The following year, he partnered with Charles Herrick to establish a meat market and packing operation. Two years later, his brother Francis took over Herrick’s role as co-owner, and the business thrived for fourteen years.

In 1853, Fratt helped establish the Racine County Bank and assumed its presidency from 1859 until 1908. This institution later became known as First National Bank & Trust Co. of Racine before being acquired by Bank One Corporation in 1988.

In 1855, Fratt acquired farmland located west of Racine; this property eventually became part of the city’s "West Racine" neighborhood through annexation. He resided on this farm until 1894 before relocating to the city itself.

Fratt was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1858 and served during the legislative sessions of 1859 and 1860. He ran as the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin’s 1st congressional district in 1874 but did not win. Additionally, he sought election as governor twice—in 1881 and again in 1884—but was defeated on both occasions by Republican Jeremiah McLain Rusk.

Following his retirement from banking around the turn of the century, Fratt moved to Redlands, California.

Personal life

Nicholas Diller Fratt was one of seven siblings born to Jacob Fratt and Catherine (née Miller). His sister Julia married Enoch Strother, a distinguished politician from Nevada who served as a Republican candidate for governor and party chairman.

On January 14, 1846, Fratt married Elsie Duffes in Racine. Elsie hailed from near Aberdeen, Scotland, and immigrated to North America with her family before settling in Racine County. Together they had eight children, six of whom reached adulthood. After Elsie passed away in 1890, Fratt remarried Eva June Jeardeau in 1893; this union did not produce any children.

Fratt died at his home in Redlands, California, in 1910. He donated farmland for the establishment of West Racine’s first schoolhouse, which opened its doors in 1916 and continues to operate today as Fratt Elementary School within the Racine Unified School District.

U.S. House of Representatives (1874)

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General Election, November 3, 1874

Wisconsin Governor (1881, 1884)

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General Election, November 8, 1881

| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| General Election, November 4, 1884

External links

• Memorial for Nicholas D. Fratt on Find a Grave
• Fratt Elementary School website