Pratt Family Papers, 1825-1950

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Summary

Creators:
Pratt, Jean Noack
Abstract:
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.
Extent:
3.2 linear feet; 66 Gelatin dry plates glass negatives, 6 Albumen prints, and 5 negatives
Language:
Collection materials in English and German.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Pratt Family papers, D-369, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.

Background

Scope and content:

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. In addition, the collection includes Pratt's draft notes and tapes used in the development of her three books. There are many historical photographs of the family and of farm machinery. Also included in the collection are a wooden die cast mold of the word Caterpillar, and a forty-five-star flag said to have flown over the Zinc House stage coach stop.

Arrangement of the Collection

The collection is arranged in 5 series, Family diaries 1825-1886, Correspondence and business papers of Walter G. Noack, 1912-1939, Jean Noack Pratt's Genealogical materials 1872-1977, Images 1888-1950, and Realia

Biographical / historical:

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 Noack (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.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Jean Noack Pratt 2001, 2003
Processing information:

Patricia C. Inouye processed this collection and created and encoded this finding aid.

Physical location:
Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright is protected by the copyright law, chapter 17, of the U.S. Code. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Pratt Family papers, D-369, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library
100 NW Quad
Davis, CA 95616-5292, US
Contact:
(530) 752-1621
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
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