My Genealogy Hound

DR. WILLIAM PRENDERGAST, a physician by profession and a descendant of the family by that name, more closely connected with the history of Chautauqua county than any other within its limits, is a son of Martin and Phoebe (Holmes) Prendergast, and was born in the town of Chautauqua, Chautauqua county, New York, on March 20, 1854. The founder of the Prendergast family in this country was one William Prendergast, a native of Ireland, of good family, but by reason of the extreme liberalism of his political views, compelled to leave that country for one governed by a more liberal constitution about the year 1806. He accordingly emigrated to the United States, locating in Chautauqua county, New York, and purchased quite a large amount of, at that time, unimproved land. His posterity have since been prominently identified with the improvement, settlement and development of the county, many of whom have, in the professions of law, medicine and politics become widely known. Matthew Prendergast, the great-grandfather of William Prendergast, was, during the greater part of his life-time, a resident of Washington county, New York, but later in life, in company with his brother James, in honor of whom the city of Jamestown received its name, emigrated to Chautauqua county, where he died. He was accompanied to Chautauqua county by his son William, a practicing physician who located at Mayville and Jamestown, where he continued his profession and finally retired to his farm in the town of Chautauqua, where he passed away. Dr. William Prendergast, at the time of his death, was the possessor of about one thousand acres of land, had served in the war of 1812 as a surgeon, and was a well-known and highly respected citizen. Religiously, his family was episcopalian, while politically his views were thoroughly consistent with republican institutions. His wife bore him but one child, the father of our subject. Grandfather Seth W. Holmes was a native of Oneida county, New York, emigrated to Erie county, New York, near Buffalo, and later to Mayville, Chautauqua county, where he was practically a life-long resident. He was a republican in politics, served as sheriff of Chautauqua county prior to 1849, made a voyage to the State of California, where he successfully engaged in speculation for some time and again returned to the East. Mr. Holmes united in marriage with Sarah Stone, who bore him three daughters, the mother of William Prendergast and two others. Martin Prendergast (father) was born in Mayville, Chautauqua county, New York, in July, 1816 and has always been a resident of that county, occupying the Prendergast homestead. At twenty-five years of age he became a clerk in a store and afterwards changed his occupation to farming, which he has since pursued. Martin Prendergast is a republican in politics, and served as supervisor of the town of Chautauqua for a period of about fifteen years. His marriage resulted in the birth of five children, one of whom, Martha, married William M. Whallon, a land owner and speculator living in Mayville; John H. (married to Antoinette Hunt) is engaged in farming and financial matters, and is at present a resident of the town of Chautauqua; William (deceased); Helen, at home; and William.

William Prendergast, M.D., was educated at the Mayville academy, entered Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, Penna., in 1880, and was graduated therefrom in 1883. After his graduation, he located at Mayville, and entered upon the active practice of his profession, which has been attended with a very high degree of success. In connection with his professional duties he gives some time to his farm of one hundred acres, located in the town of Chautauqua. Dr. Prendergast in politics is a republican.