After graduating from law school, Pratt moved to
Charles City, Iowa, in 1862 and taught school. He was
admitted to the bar in
Mason City, Iowa, in 1862, but his commencement of practice was delayed by the
Civil War. He enlisted in the
Union Army in August 1862 and served in Company B of the
37th Iowa Infantry Regiment, until March 1863, when he was discharged at
Fort Pillow in
Henning, Tennessee due to the
measles. He commenced the practice of law in
Charles City, Iowa, in 1864. He was a captain. He was the county superintendent of public schools of
Floyd County, Iowa in 1868 and 1869. He served one term as a member of the
Iowa House of Representatives from 1870 to 1872. In 1872, Pratt was elected as a Republican to represent Iowa's 4th congressional district in the
43rd United States Congress. He was re-elected two years later, and served in the
44th United States Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1876. He served in Congress from March 4, 1873 to March 3, 1877. Returning to Iowa, he served as president of the 1877 Republican State Convention. After studying for the ministry, he was ordained and entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in October 1877. He continued his ministerial duties until retired on account of age in October 1918. == Death ==