Holyoke, Mass

22 February 1917

Joseph N. Prew Dies Suddenly at His Home in Holyoke

Joseph N. Prew, a prominent Holyoke resident and well-known throughout New England as a horseman died suddenly at his home 203 Pine street late Saturday afternoon, following his return from a drive with his wife about the city. Although he had not been in the best of health since last November when he was nearly asphyxiated by coal gas, he had been seemingly well and his death came as a great shock to relatives and his friends. Yesterday afternoon he wished to go for a ride and with his wife started out as usual. After driving for a time he began to grow weak and getting his wife to take the reins asked to be driven home. On his way to his house a stop was made at Dr. S. A. Mahoney’s for assistance and he was then driven home. He became rapidly worse and gave out in the hallway of his home dying upon a couch there within a few minutes.

Mr. Prew was among the first of the French-Canadian residents to come to Holyoke and was largely instrumental in securing hundreds from Canada to come and make their home there. He was in the real estate business for years and was also a mortgage broker. He was always a great lover of horses and always owned a number of racers. Hardly ever failing to attend the New England meets, he was well known to horsemen throughout New England states. Although retiring from active business some years ago his love for horses never failed. At the present time “The Pheasant” was owned and driven by him

Mr. Prew was born in Canada and was one of a family of 10 children of Nicholas and Sophia Prew and was born march 14, 1844. He came to Holyoke in 1856 and with the late John Prew conducted a photographic studio on High street. He then became interested in real estate and built up a large business as a real estate dealer and mortgage broker. He married in 1871 Miss Matilda Marchesault of Holyoke who died in 1895, and in 1897 he married Miss Caroline Vincent, who survives him. For many years Mr. Prew made his home on Maple street. In 1911 he sold his property there to the city and bought the property of Dr. L. H. Clarke on Pine street where he had since resided. He was a member of the Elks and was always active in city life and known by practically every resident in the city. He leaves besides his widow one brother, G. J. Prew, the High Street Clothier, and two sisters, Mrs. J. G. McCarthy and Mrs. M. A. Chabot, all of Holyoke.

From The Springfield Republican.