Source: Bradley County History Book Published by The Bradley County Historical Society Article # 983 PRATER AND HARREL General Thomas Prater and Helen Harrell married in 1919 in Chattanooga1 Tennessee, where Helen was raised. G.T. was raised in Murfreesboro, TN.. After graduating from the University of Knoxville, G.T.. and Helen Prater moved to Cleveland in 1929. Their first home was on Centenary Ave. From Centenary they moved to what is now 1590 N. Ocoee St. Their next move was to the Hardwick house down town in 1940 where they lived for seven years with their adopted son, Kenneth. They were the last family to live there before It was razed in. 1947 to become Cleveland's first shopping center. In these tourist homes they met many valued and long lasting friendships. Across the street was Shelton's restaurant. G.T. Prater often told tourist if they didn't like the food In Shelton's he would pay for ii He never had to. The Prater's operated the Cleveland hotel which was the second largest Hotel in Cleveland and was located on Inman St. (today it's the location of the Cleveland Bank and Trust). The Prater's also operated the Tennessee hotel on. South Ocoee St., and the Prater hotel on Church St. which years later WB$ destroyed by lire. It was across from the First Baptist Church. In 1947 the family of three moved to what is now 823 N. Ocoee St at the monuments. This house was built in 1929. When they moved here from the Hardwick house it took two 18 wheeler trucks to move the furniture. In their hotels and tourist homes, the Praters advertised for Rock City end were close friends to the original owners. Kenneth gradated from Arnold Elementary School in 1951. In 1955 Kenneth met Florence Martin at Lee University and they married in 1957. After living several years in F1orId~ and N. Georgia Ken and Florence Prater now reside in the home place at 823 N. Ocoee. Ken and Florence have had three sons. Danny was born in 1958 and died the same day in the hospital. Denis was born In I 960 and died. after a motorcycle accident in 1983. He married Christa Dover and they had two sons. Denis Jr. and David Prater live in Calhoun. Georgia. Dale was born in 1965. He married Rev. A.A. Ledford's daughter, Dada. Darla and Dale and their Miniature Pincher, Roscoe live 150 8th St. in Cleveland. G.T Prater and Helen, Ken and Florence, and Dale and Darla each joined the North Cleveland Church of God. Dale is the volunteer director of the Sunday television ministry In May 1963, General Thomas Prater died in their home on Ocoee St. He was a retired licensed mortician In November 1988 at age 90, Helen Prater died in their home. During World War II, G.T. served as a bugler in Trier, Germany. He also served as post 8i commander of the American Legion. They traveled extensively through out the United States and Canada where Ken often rode his unicycle. Now occasionally Dale and Denis Jr. and David can be seen riding the one wheeler. Submitted by: Ken Horence Prater, 623 N. Ocoee St. Cleveland, TN. 37311