Porterdale Mill on the Yellow River
NAMED for: Oliver S. Porter, Mill Owner

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Memories of Prentis

Who Am I

These are my memories of Prentis. I'm not a writer, but I wanted to put down in words my opinions and feelings about Prentis.

I “met” Prentis a few years ago, while searching for information on The Chapman’s of Newton and surrounding counties. I came across a web site of Prentis' that had a good deal of Chapman information, so, I decided to send him an e mail. I waited patiently for days to get his reply, and then it came. He was so very considerate and helpful, and wanted to hear anything and everything about my husbands Chapman relatives. I could tell right away that he was a man who cared very much about all of his family members, past and present, especially his wife Loraine and their daughter, Jan. He had such pride in his life with them. To me it seemed like his life truly began when he met his wife, he was completely and totally devoted to her. And when their daughter, Jan, came along their lives were made even better. But the icing on Prentis Ollis’ cake, in my opinion, was when his granddaughter, was born in 1998. I think Prentis felt like the luckiest man in the world to have these magnificent treasures in his life. If there were more men who treasured their loved ones as much as Prentis treasured his, this world would be so much more wonderful.

Prentis worked very hard on the Chapman Family site with the help of various folks who offered their Chapman documents, photos and Chapman family trees. He was always so dedicated in making the Chapman site one of the best, even though his illness sometimes got in the way. He always tried to carry on with his tasks as best he could. I don‘t think I ever heard a complaint out of him.

Then came the "Porterdale" site. Prentis Ollis loved Porterdale with his whole heart. He wanted to let the world know about this little mill town and the hard working folks who made it what it was. And I think he succeeded in doing just that. He would be so thrilled to know, that along with his memory, the Porterdale web site is going to live on with the help of Joe as the web master.

I feel like I’ve known Prentis for many years, even though I have never met him face to face. I got to know him through his web sites and our correspondence via e mail. I also learned a little about Prentis through my mother-in-law, who is also now deceased. She knew "Preacher" Ollis and was a cousin to Sarah Chapman Ollis and thought the world of them. She told me many times that they were wonderful people who were very loving parents and a tight knit family. I could clearly see the results of having parents such as Mr. and Mrs. Ollis. Prentis was a kind, smart and loving man, who cared about everyone he came across in his life. The world was made better for having him in it. And isn’t that what we all strive for, to make the world a little better because we were in it?

PRENTIS OLLIS! You will always be remembered fondly. And to Mrs. Ollis and family, my condolences. I know you miss him greatly. Take pride in knowing that he touched many lives during his time here on earth. He was a wonderful human being. Speaking for myself and some family members, we will miss him for many years to come.

Thank you Prentis for the dedication you had to the Porterdale web site, as well as the Chapman website.