The following biography of GUY C. PRENTISS has been posted to the LACROSSE Co WIGenExchange Bio-Bin along with nearly 20,000 others nationwide. http://www.genexchange.org/bioregco.cfm?state=WI&county=LaCrosse ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Biography of GUY C. PRENTISS SOURCE: Biographical History of LaCrosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo Counties, WI. Lewis: 1892, pp 370-71 Attorney at LaCrosse, WI. Born at Georgia, Franklin County, VT, 11 Jan 1824, a son of Joseph and Maria (HILL) PRENTISS. The father was a native of Haverhill, NH, and the mother of Middlebury, VT. The early life of Judge PRETISS was spent in the schools of VT and in his father*s mills, Joseph PRENTISS owning at that time a lumber, flour and oil mill at Georgia, VT. When 17 years of age young PRENTISS entered a store at Burlington, VT, as a clerk, and continued there four years. In 1844 he began the study of law under the direction of F. G. HILL, at Jericho, VT, and at the end of two years went to Burlington, where he entered the office of Jacob MAECK; there he remained, pursuing his studies until Sep 1847, when he was admitted to the bar. He then opened an office in Burlington, practicing there until 1849, when he was employed as an assistant attorney with the Hon. David A. SMALLEY; this relation existed until 1852, when Judge [p 371] PRENTISS came to Portage, WI, and entered into a partnership with Judge Luther S. DIXON, late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of WI; the partnership with Judge DIXON continued until 1857, and was then dissolved by mutual consent. Judge PRENTISS then practiced alone until 1869, when he and Israel HOLMES entered into business relations, which continued until 1871, at which time Mr. HOLMES removed to Chicago. In 1858 Judge PRENTISS was elected Judge of Columbia County, WI, the court then having civil jurisdiction. In 1872 he came to LaCrosse, where he has since resided; almost all of this period he has been Court Commissioner. He has been a very active attorney for many years, and has been employed by several corporations, and has practiced in nearly every county in the state. He has gained a wide reputation as a wise counselor and highly successful attorney. Advancing years have seemed to dictate a less active life, and the Judge has accepted the office of Justice of the Peace in this city, a position he still holds. He is one of the pioneers in legal practice in the state, and owns one of the finest libraries, an excellent selection of works pertaining to the profession. Judge PRENTISS has been twice married; his first union was to Mrs. Rachel ADAMS, a native of Johnstown, NY; one child was born to them, Guy, Jr., a civil engineer by profession. Mr. PRENTISS had one daughter by her first marriage, Nettie ADAMS, a graduate of the Fox Lake Female Seminary; for several years she taught music in LaCrosse, and was married to James L. BRACKEN, a banker and provision dealer in Tama City, IA. In 1875 Mrs. PRENTISS died of a lingering illness. In Jan 1877 the Judge was married to Mrs. Ellen M. HANKERSON, his present wife; by her former marriage she had two children; F. H., the elder son, is assistant cashier of the LaCrosse National Bank; he has had the distinction of being chosen aid-de camp to Governor PECK, with the rank of Colonel; Arthur P. is the second son. Submitted by: Cathy Kubly Email: ckubly9527@aol.com ____________________________________ USGenExchange National Bio-Bin http://www.genexchange.org/biobin.cfm