Robert Prentiss

Robert and Hazel (McCarthur) Prentiss were born in 1922 near Delta in Fulton County, Ohio. They were married in Wauseon, Ohio, May 8,1942.

Robert Prentiss served both as a reservist and active member of the U.S. Army Air Corps from the beginning of the World War II until March, 1946.

October, 1958, Robert and Hazel closed their studio in Adrian, Michigan, and bought the former Ward Studio, a general photographic operation, in Napoleon.

The Ward Studio came into existence near the end of the Gardner Brothers era in 1949 and was located on Perry Street opposite the courthouse.

When purchased by the Prentiss', it had moved to 125 West Washington on the premises of the McClure Electric Shop. The Wards had sold the studio to Lee Richter in 1956.

Mr. Richter acquired a terminal illness and sold to the Prentiss' in October, 1958.

Robert and Hazel have operated at the Washington Street location since that time as professional photographers. They have been capably served since 1960 by photographer-technician Robert Brubaker, a native Napoleonite.

Both Robert and Hazel have served in civic organizations over the years. Robert assisted in the 1960 reorganization of the Retail Division-Chamber of Commerce and served both on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and also as Chamber President.

In 1972 he was appointed to fill a vacancy on City Council. At the conclusion of which he won an elected term as a councilman. He campaigned actively for the erection of the modern fire station now located on the old Erie Canal site.

The Prentisses have one son, David, married to the former Elaine Zimmerman of Delta. Elaine is a teacher and David is engaged in farming activities.

Submitted by Robert Prentiss