Robert Prentice, deceased, who for some years was actively and closely associated with the agricultural interests of Hazel Dell Township, was numbered among the county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Crescent Township on the 3rd of November, 1864. In both the paternal and maternal lines he comes of Scotch ancestry, his parents being Alexander R. and Agnes (Kirkwood) Prentice, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The father was born December 21, 1829, and the mother on the 20th of August, 1832. They were married in 1852 and after residing for five years in the land of hills and heather emigrated to the United States in 1857. Mr. Prentice settled near Crescent in that year and during the early period of his residence here followed the occupation of carpentering but later turned his attention to farming, purchasing a tract of land in Crescent Township, which he improved and cultivated until he made it a fine farm. He was prominent in the early history of that locality, contributing in substantial measure to its improvement and giving his influence to all the movements and measures calculated to aid the community in any way. Both he and his wife were earnest and consistent Christian people, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Prentice was a stalwart Republican. He died January 18, 1901, having for a year survived his wife, who passed away January 14, 1900.

The boyhood days of Robert Prentice were quietly passed upon the home farm. He became a common-school student and while pursuing his education devoted the periods of vacation to farm work, thus gaining the practical experience which was of immense value to him in later years. Becoming a farmer, he improved a two hundred acre farm in Hazel Dell Township, upon which his widow now resides. He brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and his work was seen in the abundant harvests which followed his plowing and cultivating.

On the 20th of March, 1889, Mr. Prentice was united in marriage to Miss Susan M. Osborn, a daughter of J. W. Osborn, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of G. H. Osborn. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Prentice were born seven children: Hazel, Arthur, Robert, Ruth, Isabelle, James and George, all of whom are yet under the parental roof.

In his political views Mr. Prentice was a Republican, thoroughly in sympathy with the principles and policy of the party, and for three years he served as township trustee. He was connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Crescent and enjoyed the friendship of his brethren of that fraternity. He belonged, too, to the Methodist Episcopal Church and his life was upright and honorable. To his family he was a devoted husband and father and was ever a faithful friend, while in his business life he was reliable and trustworthy. Those who knew him entertained for him warm regard and though he never sought to figure prominently in public life he belonged to that class of citizens who are the real strength of a community, upholding its moral and legal status. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Prentice has built a neat cottage on the farm, which she occupies, and her land is now rented, bringing to her a fair income. Like Mr. Prentice, she has many friends in the community, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded her.