Prather, Robert R.

Robert R. Prather was born in Los Angeles on January 1, 1886, to Joseph L. Prather of North Carolina and Mary Hedrick Prather of South Carolina. When he was six weeks old, his family settled on an Elm Avenue ranch thirteen miles south of Fresno, where he grew up attending local country schools alongside Fresno grammar and high school. In the fall of 1906, he began his career as a bookkeeper for the Lauritzen Implement Company in Fresno. Through hard work and dedication, he steadily advanced within the firm from secretary and treasurer to vice-president and sales manager.

Beyond his executive career, Prather actively contributed to the growth and development of Fresno County throughout his life. He married Josephine Sequeira, daughter of local pioneer Antonio G. Sequeira, and together they raised four children named Robert, George, Bernadine, and Lester. Fraternally, he was a member of Fresno Lodge No. 247, F. & A. M., maintaining strong community ties while supporting local advancement.