The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-17
NORTH GRAFTON'S LOSS.
Frank Samuel Prentice Sue
cumbed to An Attack
OF Pneumonia.

North Grafton, April 16.-After only
four days illness, Frank Samuel Prem
tice, an old and respected citizen of
this town, died at his residence on
Main street this morning at $50 o'clock
of pneumonia. Up to last Wednesday
morning he was at his post in the T.
H. Nelson factory as usual, and only
complained of a severe cold.
The cold, however, rapidly developed
into pneumonia, but his death was
somewhat sudden and unexpected. He
was a man of unusual health, not hav-
ing suffered a severe illness since 1880,
when he had an attack of pneumonia,
from which he rallied with difficulty
Mr.. Prentice was born in Grafton
Centre February g. 1926, and received
his early education IN the schools or MS
native town. At an early age he en-
tered the employ of the shoe manufac-
turing concern of Hancock, Burlelgh q
Co. of this town, beginning as helper
and continuing up through the various
grades of the business until he became
a foreman.
He continued in the employ of This
concern until 1852, when he went to
South birmingham and started in the
shoe manufacturing business FOR MN
self He was very successful In TINS
venture, and his name became known
to the trade throughout the country.
In September, 1859, the business was
removed to Worcester and established
in the Sargent block on Main street at
Franklin square. Later the plant was
removed across the street to the FRANK
lin building and continued In this To-
cation until July, 1876, when the bust
ness was sold, and Mr.. Prentice came
to this town and became foreman IN
the finishing department IN the L. H.
Nelson shop, in which position ne re-
manned until his death.
Mr.. Prentice was a son of Samuel
Prentice of Grafton and leaves a sister,
Mrs. D. n. Kelsey, who resides in Los
Angeles, Cal, and a brother, Charles
B. Prentice, who lives in Cambridge.
In 1853 he married Miss Pauline Hay
wood OF this town, and two children
were born to them, daughter, Cert
rude P. Prentice, wife of DR.. E. M.
Holmes of Boston, and a son, Frank H.
Prentice.
While in business in Worcester he
Joined Worcester Lodge, Odd Fellows,
No. Sc, and on his removal to this town
transferred his membership in the or
der and was one of the charter mem
bers of Evening Star Lodge of this
town, and had been at some time
past grand.
Mr.. Prentice was well and favorably
known throughout the county. He was
of a genial temperament that won him
friends among all classes of people.
He was a vocalist of some note and
formerly was a director of the old WOr-
cester County Choral Union and for
many years had charge of the congre-
gational music at the Baptist church.
Although extremely quiet in his man
ner, he was continually doing little acts
Of kindness for those less fortunate
with whom he was brought in contact,
and his philanthropy extended beyond
the bounds of his native town. He was
for many years member and local
agent of the Odd Fellows Mutual Re-
lief Association.
The funeral will take place from the
North Grafton Baptist church on We'd
nesday at .. m. During the services
the T. H. Nelson Company's shop will
be closed and Evening Star Lodge will
attend in body. Relatives and friends
are invited to attend the services with
out further invitation. He was per-
sonally known to almost every resident
of this town, and a large concourse OF
mourning friends will deeply feel his
loss and pay homage to his memory.