The following information was extracted from pages 31-32 of C.J.F. Binney's 1883 edition of "The History and Genealogy of the Prentice Family."
Additional information can be found at Descendants of Henry Prentice.
Note: The order is not consistent with the pasted-in photos in two copies of Binney's Prentice book .. therefore it is possible that this is actually the proper image of Alonzo Tyng Prentice. The one that is not Alonzo Tyng is his son, Alonzo Thompson. If you have any proof one way or the other, please let us know!
Alonzo Tyng PRENTICE, of Lockport, N. Y., son of John and Olive,
m., at Buffalo, N. Y., Dec. 6, 1823, Emeline, dau. of Horace Rockwell,
who was b. July 28, 1807, and d. March 28, 1864. Alonzo Tyng Prentice
d. June 27, 1872, at Lockport, of paralysis.
About the year 1807 the parents of Alonzo T. Prentice (John and Olive) emigrated from New Hampshire to Jefferson County, New York, taking with them Olive, Lorenzo, Alonzo, Peter, and Samuel. At the age of 12 years Alonzo went to Watertown, where he learned the trade of watchmaker, jeweller, and silversmith with a man named Bosworth. In 1815 he had mastered the trade of silversmithing and could make a "splendid spoon," many of which are to be found in Watertown and elsewhere. From Watertown he went to Sackett's Harbor, then to Buffalo with Mr. Bosworth, who started a store there. In 1820 he bought out his employer and carried on the business for himself, and did a thriving trade with the Tonawanda, Seneca, and Tuscarora Indians in selling silver jewelry which he manufactured. He could speak their language fluently and was a great favorite with Red Jacket, William Mountpleasant, and other chiefs, and has often accepted their hospitalities with his wife for the night in their wigwams when in their villages. He was m. in 1823, and soon after moved to Lockport, being one of the first settlers of that city. He was one of the leading merchants and at one time well to do. The following article was clipped from one of the Lockport papers on his death:
"We have to chronicle the death of one of our oldest and most respected citizens. Alonzo T. Prentice died Thursday, June 27, in the 73d year of his age. Mr. Prentice had been ill several months, yet the announcement of his death produced a shock in the community where lie had led a long and exemplary life.
"Mr. Prentice was born in New Hampshire on the 16th of December, 1799. He went to Jefferson County when a boy, where he lived for some time, or until he was 20 years of age, when he travelled to Buffalo. In the latter place he lived three years, and at the age of 23 married an estimable lady of 16 and moved to Lockport (1822), where he resided until his death.
"Mr. Prentice was for many years engaged in the mercantile business in this place, village and city. At one time be had acquired a handsome property, but, lending the use of his name to unfortunate parties, he became insolvent, from which he was a long time sufferer. In the days of his prosperity he exhibited a remarkably enterprising spirit. The stone residence now occupied by Gen. John Jackson, and other substantial and still existing edifices, were erected by him.
"Mr. Prentice was many times honored by his fellow-citizens with positions of public trust, and always acquitted himself with marked credit. He was for several terms justice of the peace, supervisor, and repeatedly elected trustee of the village of Lockport. Mr. Prentice was a good citizen, an honest man, and quitted the world leaving, not a single enemy behind."
No comments