By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
Fall 1998 and Revised 22 Apr 2014
In the Fall 1997 Issue we published an article about Stanton Prentice of Greene, Chenango Co., NY. We suggested Stanton may be related to Elijah B. Prentice who appeared in Oxford, Chenango Co., NY with an indicated birth year of 1790-1800. To that, we have added the following information which is based, in part, on information posted by Peggy Conley at Ancestry.com :
If you have any information about the folks mentioned in this article, please send your information to us at the Prentice Newsletter. Be sure to give the full title and date of this article in the Subject line of the email.
1. Elijah B. Prentis was b. c. 1805, MA per the 1850 census (but see Fn. 1 ). He moved with his family to NY at some date before 1821 when his son, James, was b. in NY. All his later children were b. in NY through 1839. At a presently unknown date after 1839, and before 1850, he moved his family to WI where he appears in the 1850 census in Forest, Fond du Lac Co., WI. He may have d. before 1860 as his wife, Olive, appears without him in the home of her son, James in Forest.
He m. Olive Oles/Olds, b. 10 Oct 1798, CT and d. 6 Oct 1885. She was the dau. of Ezekiel Oles/Olds and Martha Hackett (per David L. Oles email of 16 Feb 2001). To that census information we have added information provided by Karin Corbeil's email of 10 Aug 2000. Children:
- Philo Prentis. He may be, but likely is not, the "Philo S. Prentice of NY and Delhi, Jersey Co., IL" who was b. c. 1817-18 in NY and who m. Louisa Olmstead. See our Winter 1998 article on Philo S. Prentice . That 1817-1818 birth date seems inconsistent with Elijah having an 1805 birth date since he would be only about 12 or 13 when the Illinois Philo was born.
- Chauncy Prentis. He is probably not the "Chauncey (or Chancey) Prentiss, b. c. 1831 in OH who appears in the 1850 and 1880 Cleveland, Cuyahoga, OH census with his wife, Emily Hanks, b. c. 1841, NJ. The 1880 census says that both of that Chauncy's parents were born in NY. In any event, that Chancey and Emily They were married 3 Oct 1866 in Cuyahoga Co., OH (per Marriage Index)." This may also be the Chauncey Prentis who served in the Civil War - at age 33 ,enlisted C Co. 150th Inf Reg. OH; mustered out at Cleveland, OH on 23 August 1864. A pension was applied for by his widow Emily on Aug. ?, 189? (application # 461132 certificate #295944).
- John Prentis. He is not shown at home in the 1850 census. Family lore has it that John disappeared when he was 24, leaving a young family with his parents, and was never heard from again.
- George Prentis. He is not shown at home in the 1850 census.
- Elizabeth Prentis. She is not shown at home in the 1850 census. She is said to have married a Southerner who died in the Civil War. This family lore information also says that Elijah died during the Civil War which agrees with the above date.
- Elijah Prentis Jr. He is not shown at home in the 1850 census, and not shown anywhere in the 1850 and 1860 census. Family lore information says that Elijah died during the Civil War (see Elizabeth, above).
- Abel Prentis. He is not shown at home in the 1850 census.
- James Prentis, b. c. 1821, NY. In 1850 census in Forest, Fond du Lac Co., WI. He apparently m. 1st Elvira, b. c. 1830, OH, appearing as "J. C. Prentice" in the 1860 census in Forest, Fond du Lac Co., WI. Living with them was his mother, Olive.
- Charles Prentis, b. c. 1826, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]
- Martha Prentis, b. c. 1833, NY. In 1850 census in Forest, Fond du Lac Co., WI.
- Susan Prentis, b. c. 1836, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3]
- Andrew Prentis, b. c. 1839, NY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [4]
2. Charles Edward Prentice was b. 1 Jul 1826, NY, and d. 1 Apr 1876, Ashland, Jackson Co., OR. Not in 1860 census.
Charles later traveled to Oregon where he appears in the 1870 census in Jackson, OR.
- Note: Charles Prentice, his wife, Melissa Pelton-Prentice, and his descendants Della Prentice-Real,
Ella Prentice-Inlow, and Della Woodson-Prentice, Farmer, Hamilton, Reed, Inlow families are buried Old Ashland
Cemetery, Ashland, Jackson Co., OR. On 21 Mar 2003, Cindy Reed-Ross and Jennifer Reed visited Ashland
cemeteries and read cemetery books - entry for Charles and Lydia and birth/death dates, also stated that Charles was
a resident since 1869. Visited plot Section 52 Lot 1 - they have a double head stone. Near them in the same plot
are Florence and Cornelius Inlow and Della Real.
He m. Lydia Melissa. per Ancestry.com . She was b. 16 Aug 1836, OH, and d. 13 Apr 1880, Jackson Co., OR. They lived in Wisconsin in 1849 and by the time of the 1870 census were living in Jackson Co., OR. Children per 1870 census:
- Florence Ellen/Ella Prentice, b. c. 1854, WI, and d. 1891 in OR. She appears in the 1881 census
in Ashland, Jackson Co., OR, erroneously indexed as "Laurence E. Inlow." She m. Cornelius Allen Inlow
before 1880. He was b. c. 1847, OR. He was the son of Henry T. Inlow, a Physician,
and Francis Elizabeth Robertson. An Ancestor Chart for him can be found at
Ancestry.com . He apparently did not remarry and in the 1900 census lived in Dunn,
Jackson Co., OR, with his father, Henry T. Inlow (b. Aug 1821, KY) and his son, Birt. Children:
- Charles Edward Inlow, b. 25 Aug 1872, Ashland, Jackson Co., OR and d. 30 Jun 1907.
He m. Mellie Lovina Hopkins. She was b. 1877 and d. 1944.
- Gladys Inlow , b. 17 Mar 1898 in Jackson Co., OR.
- Jessie Vivian Inlow, b. 30 Dec 1900, Ashland, Jackson Co., OR.
- Florence May Inlow, b. c. 1874, OR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2.1]
- Cornelius Valentine Inlow, b. 12 Apr 1877 in Ashland, Jackson, Oregon, and d. 11 Jan 1962 in Ashland. Bur. in Mt. View Cemetery, Ashland. At home in Ashland, OR, in 1880 census. Not in 1900 census.
1910 census in East Ashland, Jackson Co., OR, with his wife, Delia, b. c. 1877, KS,
with her father b. in IN and mother in IL. 1920 census in Ashland as "Val Inlow."
Cornelius m. Delia Etta Stewart on 2 Jan 1902 in Jacksonville, Jackson Co., OR.
She was b. 24 Mar 1877 in KS. Children:
- Glenn Inlow, b. 14 Dec 1903 in Ashland,Jackson,Oregon, and d. 27 Jun 1972, Medford, Jackson Co., OR. Did not marry.. At home in 1910 and 1920 census in East Ashland.
- Ailene Inlow, b. 1 Nov 1909 in Ashland, Jackson, Oregon, and d. 16 Nov 1993, Medford, Jackson Co., OR. Schoolteacher. Did not marry., OR. At home in 1910 and 1920 census in East Ashland.
- Raymond "Ray" Clarence Inlow, b. 1 Jun 1913 in Ashland, Jackson, Oregon, and d. 2 Sep 1996, Ashland. Bur. there in Mt. View Cemetery. He was a farmer/rancher. Served in the Army in France in WW II. Married. Unknown whether they had children.
- George A. Inlow, b. c. 1878, OR. At home in Ashland, OR, in 1880 census. 1900 census in Baron, Jackson Co., OR, an unmarried servant. He m. 1st Ella Chesnut who d. 1912. In 1910 census in East Ashland, Jackson Co., OR. with his wife, Ella, b. c. 1878, KY, with her father b. in KY and mother in NY; no children shown. Not in 1920 census. He m. 2nd May Rosecrams in 1930.,
- Lydia Mellissa Inlow, b. c. 1880, OR. At home in Ashland, OR, in 1880 census. Not in 1900 or 1910 census by that surname.
- Fred Reginald Inlow, b. 20 Mar 1882 in Ashland,Jackson, Oregon
- Bert Inlow, b. c. 1886, OR. At home in Dunn, OR, with his widowed father in the 1900 census. Not in 1910 census as Birt, Bert, Burt or Bertram.
- Roy Inlow, b. 21 Mar 1891 in Jackson, Oregon
- Ordela "Della" O. Prentice, b. c. 1856, WI, and d. 1882 in OR. At home in 1870 census in Jackson, OR. She m. John Real before 1880. John later remarried in 1895 and lived in Dunn Twp.
- Philo Albert Prentice, b. c. 1860, IA, and d. in CA, where he was a quartz miner in El Dorado Co., CA.
AKA Phillip and Philo. At home in 1870 census in Jackson, OR.
1880 census living with J. A. Sutton and family in Colusa Co., CA. He m. Della Woodson in 1883.
Della earlier appeared in the 1880 fed census as Della Woodson, age 12 years, living with her /family
in Ashland, Jackson Co., OR, Della d. 31 Dec 1886, Ashland, OR, age 19 years and 20 days. They had
1 or more children, including:
- Frederick Prentice, b. 1886. In the 1900 census he is age 14 and an inmate at Oregon Reform school in Marion, OR. Not in 1910 census.
2.1 Florence Ella/Ellen Prentice was b. c. 1849 or 1854 in Wisconsin and d. Mar 1891 in Jackson Co., OR. At an unknown date prior to 1871, her family moved to, or near, Ashland, Jackson Co., OR where her children were born.
She m. John William Farmer on 15 Dec 1891 in Jacksonville, OR. He was b. 18 Dec 1869 in Arabia, Platt Co., MO. Children per Ancestry.com with additional descendant information to be found there:
- Bessie May Farmer, b. c. 1894,OR. She m. Earl Adelbert Hamilton. He was b. c. 1891, OR,
with his father b. in OH and mother in IL. They appear with their children in the 1920 census in Portland,
Multnomah Co., OR, and in the 1930 census in Ashland, Jackson Co., OR. Children:
- Jeanne Hamilton, b. c. 1914, OR. At home in Ashland, OR, in the 1930 census.
- Arthur Hamilton, b. c. 1916, OR. At home in Ashland, OR, in the 1930 census.
- Adeline Hamilton, b. c. 1920, OR. At home in Ashland, OR, in the 1930 census. She m. Donald Edwin Reed
- Son Donald Edwin Reed Jr.. He m. Sharon Dean Robertson
- Milton Hamilton, b. c. 1922, OR. At home in Ashland, OR, in the 1930 census.
- Charlotte Hamilton, b. c. 1926, OR. At home in Ashland, OR, in the 1930 census.
- Amy Florence Farmer, b. 27 Nov 1894 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
- Earl John Farmer, b. 9 Sep 1896 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
- Ivan William Farmer, b. 28 Jun 1898 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
- Harry Robin Farmer, b. 31 Aug 1900 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
- George Washington Farmer, b. 4 Jul 1903 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
- Miles Leslie Farmer, b. 12 Dec 1905 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
- Chester Mason Farmer, b. 31 Jan 1908 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
- Glen Mason Farmer, b. 18 May 1910 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
- Daniel Boone Farmer, b. 2 Sep 1911 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
- Josephine Maxine Farmer, b. 28 Oct 1912 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
- Genevieve Marie Farmer, b. 9 Mar 1914 in Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon
3. Susan Prentis, b. c. 1836, NY and d. 30 May 1880 in Lake City, Calhoun Co, IA. She appears living at home in the 1850 Forest, Fond du Lac Co., WI census.
She later m. Hiram Eddy Purdy in 1855 in Fond du Lac. Hiram was b. 2 Jun 1830, Canada and d. 5 Aug 1916, Rockwell City, Calhoun Co, IA, He was the son William Purdy and Amy Eddy. Children:
- Eugene Manchester Purdy (b. July 27, 1856 in Fond du Lac, WI and
d. Dec 1934, Wyndmere, DantonTwp, Richland Co, ND. He
m. Emma Jane Sifford who was b. at an unknown date and
d. 6 Oct 1913. The marriage was 15 Sep 1877 in Wyndmere,
Richland Co, ND. Emma was the dau. of Henry Sifford and
Malinda McCoy. Eugene and Emma had 6 children:
- Faye Purdy
- Mabel Purdy, b. Jul 1878 in Lake City Twp., Calhoun Co., IA. She m. Walter E. Webb. He was b. c. 1873 in IL of German parents. In 1910 they lived in Grant Twp., Richland Co., ND.
- Merle Purdy, She was b. 27 Nov 1879 in Lake City Twp., Calhoun Co., IA. He. m. Katherine. Child:
- Isla Purdy, female. She was b. c. 1908 and d. c. 1910 (per Ancestry.com).
- Delia Faye Purdy, b. Dec 1881, Lake City Twp., Calhoun Co., IA. She m C. A. Pruett. He was b. c. 1870.
- Wilmot Guy Purdy, b. 24 Mar 1885, Lake City Twp., Calhoun Co., IA and d. 14 Nov 1961, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co., CA.
- Hally Raymond Purdy, b. 2 Feb 1887, Lake City Twp., Calhoun Co., IA and d. 10 Sep 1963.
He m. Gladys, b. c. 1891. The appear in the 1930 census in North Bonners Ferry, ID. Children:
- Maurice Purdy, b. c. 1912.1
- Dale Purdy, b. c. 1913.
- Florice Purdy, b, c. 1915.
- Velma Purdy, b. c. 1917.
- Hazel Purdy, b. c. 1919.
- Glen Purdy, b. c. 1922.
- Sifford Glen Purdy, b. Nov 1889 in Lake City Twp., Calhoun Co., IA
- Martha ("Mattie) Purdy (b. January 11, 1858 d. October 30, 1876)
4. Andrew Prentis, b. 27 May 1839, NY, and d. 25 May 1917, age 78 years. He was living at home in the 1850 Forest, Fond du Lac, WI census. He may be the Andrew W. Prentis, b. c. 1839, NY who appears in the 1880 Aren, Marathon Co., WI census with his wife and family. His obituary reads as follows:
- Clark County, WI Internet Library
Prentice, Andrew W. (27 MAY 1839 - 25 MAY 1917)The body of Andrew W. Prentice, who died at the Veterans' Home near Waupaca last Friday, arrived here Sunday forenoon for burial. Bright's disease was the cause of his death.
Andrew Prentice was born in the state of New York May 27, 1839, therefore would have been 78 years of age on the day of his funeral. He came to Marathon Co., Wis. in 1875 and took up a 160-acre farm in the town of Frankfort. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ehle, who died in the spring of 1885. Three children were born to them, Charles, now living in the state of Washington; Robert of Milan, Wis.; and Kate (Mrs. James Chapman) deceased. Mr. Prentice, besides being one of the earliest pioneers who braved the wilderness and gave this section a start toward development, was a tried and true veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted in Co. H. 14th Wis. Vol. Inf. In Sept. 1861, and received an honorable discharge when his term expired in January 1865.
Mr. Prentice had been a resident of this vicinity from the time he first came here until he went to live at the Veteran's home on account of failing health about four years ago. He was well known here and not a few will regret to learn of the death of a good citizen and soldier, which he was.
The funeral was held Sunday from the M. E. Church in this city (Colby, Wis.), conducted by Rev. H. C. Hall, and was largely attended. Burial was made in the Colby Cemetery.
Andrew m. Mary C. Ehle, b. 29 Dec 1841, NY, and d. 20 May 1891, Frankfort, marathon Co., WI.. An Ancestor Chart for her can be found at Ancestry.com . Her obituary reads as follows:
- Prentice, Mary (29 DEC 1841 20 MAY 1891)
Died, at her home in the town of Frankfort, Marathon Co., the morning of May 20th, 1891, Mary, wife of Andrew J. Prentice, aged 51 years.
Mary Ehle was born in the state of New York, and came to Wisconsin while quite young, settling with her parents in Fond du Lac Co. In 1865 she was united in marriage with Andrew J. Prentice. Four children blessed this union, three of whom, Charles, Katie and Robert survive, and with the husband mourn the loss of a loving wife and mother.
In the spring of 1874 she came with her husband and family to this place and settled in that portion of the town of Wien, which is now the town of Frankfort, where they have since resided. Mrs. Prentice was a quiet, gentle woman and won the love and respect of all with whom she came in contact.
The funeral will be held at the home, on account of the sickness of Mr. Prentice, tomorrow morning, and the remains will be interred in the Colby Cemetery.
Children of Andrew and Mary:
- Charles E. Prentis, b. c. 1867, WI. 1917 living in WA.
- Elisabeth Prentis, b. c. 1873, WI, It is unclear whether she is the 4th child mentioned in her mothr's obituary who d. before 1891. She might also be the "Kate Prentis" shown below.
- Robert A. Prentis, b. c. 1879, Wi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5]
- Kate Prentis. She m. James Chapman. In 1917 he was deceased and she was still living.
- Harvey Prentis, b. c. 1870 per Ancestry.com . It is unclear whether she is the 4th child mentioned in her mothr's obituary who d. before 1891.
He may also be the the Andrew W. Prentice found in "The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin," published in Chicago by the Western Historical Company in 1880, which listed the names of the men credited to each of the county's townships for their military service during the Civil War. That entry reads as follows: "Prentice, Andrew W. 14th Inf Co. H - Town of Forest (Fond du Lac Co., WI)."
Although there is a difference in the surname spelling and birth date, the similarity of the names suggest they are likely the same person.
5. Robert A. Prentis, b. c. 1879, WI. 1917 living in Milan, WI. He is likely the Robert Prentice who appears in the 1920 and 1930 Johnson, Marathon Co., WI census (b. c. 1880, WI) with his wife and family.
He m. Anna, b. c. 1874, WI. Children:
- Maude Prentice, b. c. 1900, WI. Not home in 1930.
- Hazel Prentice, b. c. 1903, WI. Not home in 1930.
- Dorothy Prentice, b. c. 1906, WI. Not home in 1930.
- Elmer Prentice, b. c. 1908, WI. At home in 1930. Not in SSDI.
Who are Elijah B. Prentis' Parents? A posting on Joseph Prentice of Chesterfield, NH , discussed in an earlier article.
There are, however, 2 problems which require further investigation:
- Although the time frame is appropriate, the entry does not contain any factual documentation linking Joseph and Elijah, and
- there is no way to know whether Joseph's son, Elijah, is the same person as the Elijah discussed in this article.
In our research we noticed in the 1860 census in Fond du Lac, WI, where Elijah and his family were living, the households of::
- #559 ORLANDO PRENTISS (b. 25 May 1797, Sherbourne, MA) and his wife, ELECTA KEELER.
- #561 JEREMIAH OLDS (b. c. 1783, MA) and his wife, EMELINE were living only 2 houses away from them.
Olive was then living in #545 with her son, James, only 14 houses away from Orlando Prentiss and Jeremiah Olds. Olive's father is said to be Ezekiel Olds, b. 25 Jan 1865 in Alford, Berkshire Co., MA. I've not checked to see whether Jeremiah Olds is a son of Ezekiel Olds.
Orlando Prentiss was b. 25 May 1797, Sherbourne, Middlesex Co., MA, and d. in WI, perhaps in Fond du Lac. Orlando was living in Bangor, Franklin Co., NY in the 1820s. Elijah, b. c. 1776 and a descendant of Henry Prentice, lived in Brandon, Franklin Co., NY in the 1820s, only about 5-6 miles away. Such proximity suggest a kinship of some kind. It also raises a question whether the 1776 Elijah had a son by a prior marriage named Elijah.
Fn. 1: Cindy Ross' sets out, below, her reason why she believes that Elijan B. Prentis was not b. c. 1805, but rather at an earlier date, 1795:- I believe that the 1850 census for this family is incorrect based upon the 1830 and 1860 census
1830 Oxford NY has EB Prentice next to George Hacket (olives maternal relation) Oldest in this enumeration are 1 m & f (30-40) Olive known to be 32 yrs at this time And would be correct for Elijah age 35 if bn 1795 Next oldest are 1 m & f (10-15) which would fit Philo and Elizabeth Next 2 m (5-10) Chauncey & John? Next 1 m & f (U5) Charles & Unk Girl Birth of Martha abt 1833 and Susan abt 1836 both NY Birth of youngest child Andrew recorded as 1840 NY, however unable to locate family in NY or anywhere else in 1840 census.
Land recs of WI purchase Aug 1 1849
(paragraph omitted)
I believe that James in the 1850 census to be the same child identified as Chauncey, based upon further census
1860 Olive (age 62 bn NY) lvg with son JC (age 38) & wife Elvira in WI next door to Daniel Purdy Family
1870 Olive (age 72 bn NY) lvg with James C. (age 48) & wife Elvira in Leroy, OH
1880 Olive (age 81 bn MA) Lvg with James C. (age 58) & wife Elvira in Painesville, OH Olive Prentice 81 WF Mother bx 20 chkd (Maimed/Crippled/BdRdn/Disabled) MA MA MA
Now going back 1820 census Oxford NY Able to track Ezekial Olds (1800-1830) & Simeon Prentice families (1810-1830) 1820 census Olive (ag 22) is missing from his household however 6 lines previous Is Joel Prentice 1 m (26-45) 1F (U5) 1F (10-16) 1F (18-26) A few pages before are Simeon & Ozias G. Prentice families Simeon has 1M&F (26-44) 1M (45+) Simeon Elijah doesnt fit here unless enmd age 26 instead of 25 however is in the area somehow to marry Olive Olds whose family has been in Oxford since 1799.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nychenan/annals11.htm#eolds Annals of Oxford Township has a bio for early settler Ezekial Olds Which gives info on Olive names her husband, children, and siblings No bios of Prentices which make since the families have relocated from the area bet 1830-1840
Civil War service and pensions Andrew W. Prentice served with 14th Infrantry Regiment listed in both service recs and pension apps.
No listing of service for Elijah B., Charles E., or James C. If Elijah died in 1863 maybe he accompanied Charles and family on way to Oregon?
1830 Oxford NY has EB Prentice next to George Hacket (olives maternal relation) Oldest in this enumeration are 1 m & f (30-40) Olive known to be 32 yrs at this time And would be correct for Elijah age 35 if bn 1795 Next oldest are 1 m & f (10-15) which would fit Philo and Elizabeth Next 2 m (5-10) Chauncey & John? Next 1 m & f (U5) Charles & Unk Girl Birth of Martha abt 1833 and Susan abt 1836 both NY Birth of youngest child Andrew recorded as 1840 NY, however unable to locate family in NY or anywhere else in 1840 census.
Land recs of WI purchase Aug 1 1849
1850 census Forest, WI Parents are enumerated at 45 and 32 yrs of age with eldest children James and Charles Being 29 and 21 yrs respectively. Which would put parents at 16 and 3 for the birth of James ? unlikely scenario. If Philo bn 1817 was a child of Elijah he would have been a father at age 12 if stay with 1805 birth year and Olive would have been 19 at age of Philos birth, unlikely scenario.
Correspondence: If you have any information about the folks mentioned in this article, please send your information to us at the Prentice Newsletter. Be sure to give the full title and date of this article in the Subject line of the email.
Caution: If you don't use the above email link, your email to us may be deleted as spam by our email filter.
- Charles Edward Inlow, b. 25 Aug 1872, Ashland, Jackson Co., OR and d. 30 Jun 1907.
He m. Mellie Lovina Hopkins. She was b. 1877 and d. 1944.
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