Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912


Prentice Family Biography

This is an old family name in England and Scotland, and is found as both Prentice and Prentiss. The Prentices of Uniontown spring from a Scotch emigrant, who came to this country when a young man and married in Philadelphia a young lady of that city, leaving a son Thomas, of whom further.

(II) Thomas Prentice was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1784, died in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1869. He grew to manhood in his native city, and in 1817 settled in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He was a hard worker, a good business man, temperate and abstemious in all his habits. He helped to construct the National Road and after its completion kept two and three teams running on it all the time; he hauled a large amount of coal and later engaged in the manufacture of brick used in the construction of the older churches and brick buildings of Uniontown. He was also a prosperous contractor. He married Isabella Laisk, who died February 27, 1842, aged forty-two years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. Children: 1. Andrew, born on Chestnut street, Philadelphia, September 11, 1815; at age of twenty years he began driving a six-horse team over the "Pike" from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, to Baltimore, Maryland; he afterward drove his father's team, running between Cumberland, Maryland, and Wheeling, West Virginia, taking nine days to make the trip; he was one of the best drivers on the "Old Pike," but after fourteen years service the exposure and night driving broke his health; later he became a grocer in Uniontown and became quite wealthy; at the time of his death he was the oldest "Pike Boy" in Fayette county. 2. Elizabeth, died young. 3. Isabella, married John Crossland, for his second wife. 4. Jane, married W. K. Cooper. 5. Thomas, of whom further. 6. Henry, drowned when a young man.

(III) Thomas (2), son of Thomas (1) and Isabella (Laisk) Prentice, was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1827, died in 1877. He attended the public schools, and learned the trade of wheelwright. His shop stood on the lower end of the old "white swan" lot, where he continued in business until his retirement about 1877. He was a man of large commanding figure and handsome, manly appearance, retiring and quiet in manner, taking little active part in public affairs. He was a Democrat in politics, a member of the Presbyterian church, his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Elizabeth Brownfield, born in Uniontown, February 24, 1837, who is still living, daughter of Nathaniel and Elma (Mitchell) Brownfield, and granddaughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Brownfield. Children of Thomas (2) and Elizabeth (Brownfield) Prentice; 1. Walter Lowery, of whom further. 2. Minnie, born November 8, 1865, married John G. Barber, superintendent of Armour & Company in Uniontown. 3. Lizzie, born January 29, 1869, died August 22, 1899; married Harry Whyle. 4. Thomas (3), born February 8, 1871, died May 5, 1890. 5. Nettie, born July 17, 1874, died July 18, 1897. Mrs. Elizabeth (Brownfield) Prentice survives her husband, and is a resident of Uniontown with her daughter, Minnie (Mrs. John G. Barber).

Thomas Brownfield came to Uniontown from near Winchester, Virginia, at an early day, and in 1805 built the old White Swan Hotel. He conducted this as a house of public entertainment for many years, and within its walls his eleven children grew to manhood and womanhood, and several were born. Children: Ewing, John, Nathaniel, of whom further; Thomas, Martha (Polly), Sarah, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Prentice l, Hannah, Esther, all deceased, Nathaniel, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Brownfield, was born in 1810 in the White Swan Hotel. He was a farmer, and very active in the Democratic party, but never accepted office for himself. Later in life he became proprietor of the White Swan Hotel and in 1896 died there in the room in which he first saw the light. His wife, Elma (Mitchell) Brownfield, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Campbell) Mitchell. Samuel Mitchell was a cabinetmaker. His wife Elizabeth was born in Fayette county, daughter of Abel and Susan Campbell, early settlers and members of the Society of Friends. Samuel and Elizabeth (Campbell) Mitchell had two children: William, and Elma, who married Nathaniel Brownfield, of previous mention. The latter were very partial to the Quaker faith, but were regular attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church. Their children; Samuel M., deceased; Thomas; Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Prentice, of previous mention; Minerva, married William Hinsey, and lives in Uniontown; Mary, deceased; Louisa, married Joseph M. Hadden, whom she survives, a resident of Uniontown; Louisa, married George W. Thorndell and lives in Uniontown; Sarah, deceased; Emma, married William T. Moore and lives in Uniontown; Elma, married John C. Breading and lives in Bellevue, Pennsylvania; Prentice l, married Ellis A. Gray and lives at St. Charles, Illinois; William, residing in Uniontown.

(IV) Walter Lowery, eldest son and child of Thomas (2) and Elizabeth (Brownfield) Prentice, was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1864. He was educated in the public school, and then became a farmer, working the old Nathaniel Brownfield farm for about fifteen years. After his marriage he engaged in the grocery business in Uniontown until his health failed, and in 1896 he practically retired from business, although he has erected several houses, which he rents. In politics he is an active Democrat, but has never sought public office. He is a trustee of the Third Presbyterian Church, of which his wife is also a member. He married, February 23, 1898, Blanche, daughter of John M. Prentice.

Samuel John Morrow, son of Samuel and Mary (Sproul) Morrow, was born in Summerhill township, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. He grew to youthful manhood on the home farm, was educated in the public school of his district, the high school of Conneautville, graduating in 1896, and Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated, class of 1901, with the degree of A.B. His fraternity is Phi Kappa Psi. He is also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society. After leaving college he began the study of law in the offices of Jones & Henderson, of Uniontown, and in January, 1905, was admitted to the Fayette county bar and to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

He began practice in Uniontown, October 1, 1905, continuing alone until April 1, 1907, when he was admitted to a partnership in the law firm of Howell & Sturgis, the new firm being Howell, Sturgis & Morrow. This partnership existed until November 1, 1910, when Mr. Howell retired and the present firm of Reppert, Sturgis & Morrow was formed. This is one of the strong legal firms of the Fayette county bar. Mr. Morrow is a member of Fayette County Bar Association, an active Republican, and since January 2, 1912, has filled the office of first assistant district attorney of Fayette county. He is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, Shrine and Consistory, the latter two being Pittsburgh bodies. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, Mr. Morrow is unmarried.

Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912.





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