PrenticeNet :: Elton J. Prentice of Eureka, Humboldt Co., California

Zachariah Prentice of NY and San Francisco, California
By Linus Joseph Dewald Jr., Editor
Winter 2005 and Revised 30 Oct 2015

We found an obituary for Frank Prentice, #3 below, and have augmented it with census information and information found in Ancestry.com.

1. Zachariah Henry Prentice was b. 24 Aug 1856 in NY, and d. 15 Dec 1909, San Francisco, CA (with his father b. in England and mother in Ireland per the 1880 SF, CA, census). 1860 not in census. 1870 in San Francisco, CA, census, age 13, listed as an "inmate" in an "Inmate(/) Industrial School". Next to him in the 1870 SF census is "Chas. Prentice", b. co 1857, CA. A Google search indicates it was probably created by the CA Legislature in 1858 under the "Industrial School Act." It was an institution for neglected and delinquent youths on the West Coast, created in response to the surging numbers of "idle and vicious" youths wandering the streets of San Francisco.

It is not yet kinown when Zachariah arrived in San Francisco, whether he was neglected or delinquent, and whether his parents were deceased.

If his mother is Ellen Erickson (see discussion under "Who is Zachariah Prentice's Father?), she apparently m. Christian Erickson c. 1866. That suggests Zachariah's father had d. before that date and suggests the possibility that Zachariah may have ended up in the Industrial School because his mother was uanble to care for him.

He m. Mary Ellen Shute (per CA Death Index) and Ancestry.com. She was b. 17 Jul 1864, Coxsackie, NY. The 1880 census says her father was b. in England and mother in Ireland. They had 3 or more children, including:

(dau.) Prentice (per Matt Prentice posting on PrenticeNet).
Ora Prentice, b. c. 1892, NY. She appears in the 1910 census in San Francisco, CA, as a niece in the home of Richard A. Shute, b. c. 1859, NY, and his wife, May C., b. c. 1870, NY.
Elton Zachariah Prentice was b. 25 Feb 1894 in CA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . [2]

2. Elton Zachariah Prentice was b. 25 Feb 1893-4 in San Francisco, CA (per Matt Prentice posting on PrenticeNet) and d. 3 Mar 1963, CA (per SSDI) or 8 Mar 1963 (per CA Death Index). Both parents were b. in NY. He appears in the 1910 census in San Francisco, CA, as a nephew in the home of Richard A. Shute, b. c. 1859, NY, and his wife, May C., b. c. 1870, NY. Elton appears in the 1920 census in Eureka, Humboldt Co., CA with his wife.

Elton m. Inez Fassero, b. 9 Oct 1895 CA and d. c. Oct 1983, Saramento, Sacramento Co., CA (per SSDI). Both of her parents were b. in Italy (per 1930 census). Children (per 1930 census):

Frank Elton Prentice, b. 6 Jul 1920, Jackson, Amador Co., CA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [3]
William Prentice, b. c. 1923, CA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [4]
Robert Prentice, b. c. 1926, CA. Living in 2008.

3. Frank Elton Prentice, b. 6 Jul 1920, Jackson, Amador Co., CA, and d. 26 Oct 2004 in Sacramento, Sacramento Co., CA.. Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 29 Oct 2004 at Lombard & Co., 1550 Fulton Ave., Sacramento, CA. Funeral Mass on Saturday, 30 Oct 2004 at 10 a.m. at St. Ignatius Church, 3235 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA.

Frank m. Lacertian/Lucrezua Zamlich c. 1948. An Ancestor Chart for her can be found at Ancestry.com . Children b. after 1948:

Nancy Prentice. She m. Pat Sarandria.
Maureen Prentice.
Susan Prentice
Mary Lou Prentice
Gary Prentice, b. 29 Oct 1956, Chico, CA, and d. 12 May 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [5]
Anne Prentice.

4. William Prentice, b. 5 Jan 1923, Madera, CA, and d. 19 Mar 2008, San Jose, Santa Clara Co., CA. In 2005 he was living in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., CA. His obituary reads as follows:

William J. Prentice June 5, 1923 March 19, 2008 Predeceased in death by his mother and father, Inez and Elton; brothers Frank and Robert; children William, Edward and Rick. Survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Rose Marie; children Rena (Rick), Paula, Melissa, Christopher (Michelle), Nora, Matthew (Cecilia), daughter-in-law Cathy. Grandchildren Jack, Kaitlin, Jeff, Hailey, Cole, Georgia, William and Anna.

Private services have been held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either: Rose Marie and William Prentice Financial Aid Endowment, Rick F. Prentice Memorial Financial Aid Endowment, Bellarmine College Preparatory, 960 W. Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95126.

He m. Rose Marie. Her obituary reads as follows:

Rosemarie A. Prentice Aug.11,1926-Feb.1,2013 Resident of San Jose Born in Willow Glen, the daughter of Dr. Edward A. Amaral and Rose A. Amaral, she passed away surrounded by her family. She is predeceased by her mother and father; brothers Edward and Jack; loving husband of 64 years William; and children William, Edward and Rick. She is survived by her brother Robert (Tomasina); children, Rena (Rick), Paula, Melissa, Christopher (Michelle), Nora, Matthew (Cecilia) and daughter-in-law Catherine (Rick); grandchildren, Jack, Kaitlin, Jeff, Hailey, Cole, Georgia, William and Anna; and loving caregiver Glenda. Through all life's ups and downs she was a rock of unconditional love and support to her family. God blessed us with her.

She will be dearly missed. Private services have been held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Dr. Edward A. Amaral' 16 Financial Aid Endowment, Rick F. Prentice' 70 Financial Aid Endowment, Bellarmine College Preparatory, 960 W. Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95126 or Disabled Veterans.

Children of William and Rosemarie:

William Prentice. Died before 2013.
Edward Prentice. Died before 2013.
Rick F. Prentice, b. c. 1953, San Jose, CA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [6]
Rena Prentice. She m. Rick.
Paula Prentice.
Melissa Prentice.
Christopher Prentice. He m. Michelle.
Nora Prentice.
Matthew Prentice. He m. Cecilia.

. She is survived by her brother Robert (Tomasina); children, Rena (Rick), Paula, Melissa, Christopher (Michelle), Nora, Matthew (Cecilia) and daughter-in-law Catherine (Rick);

5. Gary Prentice, b. 29 Oct 1956, Chico, CA, and d. 12 May 2015 His obituary reads as follows:

Gary Michael Prentice passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, after a short and courageous battle with leukemia. Gary was born in Chico, California, on October 29, 1956. He was the fifth child and the only son of Frank (deceased) and Lucrezia Prentice.

Gary was raised in Sacramento, attended St. Ignatius Parish School, and was a proud graduate of Jesuit High School, Class of 1974. He continued his education at UC Davis, and took great pride as a member of the Cal Aggie football team. He earned his teaching credential at Cal State Hayward and started his career in education in the Clovis Unified School District (Tarpey, Temperance Kutner, and Fancher Creek elementary schools, Alta Sierra Intermediate, and Clovis High School).

During that time he also taught a year at Public School 109 in the Bronx, NY. Of all his accomplishments, Gary was most proud of his family. He was a dedicated, loving husband to his wife, Renae, and an involved, hands-on dad to Aimee, Adam, and Anthony. He took great pride in his children's accomplishments, all while teaching them to be humble. He enjoyed attending his sons' football games and wrestling matches. He was a devout Catholic and member of the Holy Spirit Parish. He shared his faith daily with his family. Gary was always ready and willing to help others. He participated in the church's Homeless Ministry, led numerous holiday food/gift drives, organized Kids' Day newspaper sales, and many other selfless contributions to those less fortunate. He was dedicated to his job as a high school counselor and wore many hats to meet the needs of his students.

Gary is survived by his wife, Renae; daughter Aimee; sons Adam, and Anthony. He is also survived by his mother Lucrezia; sister Nancy Sarandria (Pat); sisters Mary Lou, Maureen, Susan, and Anne Prentice; mother-in-law Minerva Foster; sisters-in-law Roxanne Martin (Cameron); and Rebecca Salas. He also has several nephews and nieces, and a multitude of extended family and friends whom he loved like family.

His legacy will live on through his children and their faith, his wife, his extended family, his colleagues and friends, and his students whose lives were touched by him. While we will miss him more than any words could describe, we know he left this earth without fear and is now home with Jesus in Heaven.

A Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Church, 355 E. Champlain Dr., Fresno, on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a graveside service. A Celebration of Life will be held at Clovis High School's South Gym at 1:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Gary's name to the CHS Cougar Foundation or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Gary m. Renae Foster Children per Gary's obituary:

Aimee Prentice.
Adam Prentice.
Anthony Prentice.

6. Rick F. Prentice, b. c. 1953, San Jose, CA. His obituary reads as follows:

Rick F. Prentice Age 52, died July 6, 2005 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Beloved husband of Catherine Prentice for 21 years. Loving and devoted father to Jack, Kaitlin, and Jeff. Rick is survived by his parents William and Rose Marie Prentice of San Jose. He will be dearly missed by his siblings Rena and her husband Rick, Paula, Melissa, Chris and his wife Michelle, Matt and his wife Cecilia, and Nora. Rick was born in San Jose and graduated from Santa Clara University.

He was Regional Managing Director for AON Risk Services for the West Coast Construction Services Group. He was a member of the Board of Regents at Bellarmine College Preparatory. He and his family are long-time residents of Saratoga. Rick had an incredible passion for life. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. Rick loved sports, travel, duck hunting and Stanford football. He also enjoyed coaching and watching his children's sports. He will be fondly remembered for the joy he brought to our lives.

A Mass celebrating Rick's life will be held Monday, July 11th, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mission Church at Santa Clara University. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Rick's name to Bellarmine College Preparatory, 960 West Hedding Street, San Jose, Calif. 95126-1215. LIMA FAMILY SANTA CLARA MORTUARY assisting the family. (408) 296-2977.

He m. Catherine c. 1984. Children of Rick and Catherine:

Jack Prentice.
Kaitlin Prentice.
Jeff Prentice.

Who are the parents of Zachariah Prentice?

According the 1880 census in San Francisco, CA, Zachariah's father was b. in England and his mother was b. c. 1836 in Ireland. He was identified as a stepson living living in SF in the home of Christian Erickson (b. c. 1836, Sweden; emigrated 1858) and his wife, Ellen, b. c. 1836, Ireland. Ellen was likely Frederick's mother. Neither Christian nor Ellen appear in the 1900 census. Christian Erickson appears in the 1910 San Francisco, CA, census as a widower.

As noted above, Zachariah's son, Elton, appears in the 1910 census in San Francisco, CA, as a nephew in the home of Richard A. Shute, b. c. 1859, NY, and his wife, May C., b. c. 1870, NY.

The CA Death Index calls him Elton Z. Prentice ("Z" for Zachariah?) and says that the maiden surname of Elton's mother was Shute

Richard A, Shute, with whom Elton and his sister, Ora, were living in 1910 in SF, was the son of Martin/Mathew Shute (b. c. 1834, NJ) and his wife, Jane Ann. Martin/Mathew and Jane Ann in 1870 were living in Coxsackie, Greene Co., NY and in 1880 in SF. Their children are set out in the 1860 and 1870 census as:

Thomas J. Shute, b. c. 1855
Jane Anna Shute, b. c. 1857, NY. Not home in 1880.
Richard A. Shute b. c. 1859
Hanah/Hannah E. Shute, b. c. 1861, NY. Not home in 1880.
Mary E. Shute, b. c. 1864 (apparently Mary Ellen Shute who Zachariah later married.)
James Shute, b. c. 1868
Margaret Shute, b. c. 1870, NY

The only other clue we have so far is that the 1920 census in Eureka, Humboldt Co., CA says that both of his parents were b. in the State of New York. In reviewing the 1920 census, the most likely persons to be Elton's parents are George W. and Martha Prentice, both b. in New York. George was b. c. 1849, NY, and Martha was b. c. 1850 in NY. In 1920 they were living in Modesto, Stanislaus Co., CA.

However, further investigation is needed to determine whether there is any relationship between them and Elton J. Prentice.

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.


	No comments on this page.