Manufacturer, Businessman. A trained mechanical engineer, he was the co-founder of the Pratt and Whitney Company, which he began in 1860 with Amos Whitney as a machine tool manufacturer. It eventually evolved into the aircraft and aerospace manufacturing business it is know for today.  He is credited with being first to permit production of fine gear work, which was used for the manufacturing of tools for gun making and sewing machines as well as everyday use tools. He promoted interchangeable parts and the adoption of standard system of gauges for the United States and Europe. Among several machine-tool patents, his most important was for planing metal, which he obtained on July 28, 1869. During the Civil War his company made guns for the Union Army. (bio by: David Stelly)  Family links:  Parents:  Nathaniel Mason Pratt (1800 – 1876)  Spouse:  Harriet Elizabeth Cole Pratt (1830 – 1907)*  Children:  Willard N. Pratt (1851 – 1852)*  Mary J Pratt (1853 – 1857)*  Harriet Pratt (1856 – 1856)*  Frances Pratt (1856 – 1856)*  Melvin D Pratt (1857 – 1883)*  Edgar Pratt (1860 – 1862)*  Carrie Louise Spalding Pratt Going (1862 – 1914)*  Francis Cole Pratt (1867 – 1930)*  Sibling:  Martha Maria Pratt (____ – 1838)*  Francis Ashbury Pratt (1827 – 1902) *Calculated relationship