The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-20
Obituary,
ABBOTT LAWRENCE, OF MASSACHUSETTS,

we received on Saturday, the announcement OF the
dea'h OF Abbott Lawrence, the distinguished Boston
merchant and politician which took place at his resi-.
dence Park street. in that city on that dsy at eeyem
O'Clock A. M Mr. Lawrence has isng been suffering from
chronic disease Of the stomach which, at hs age (83)
always battles the skin of physicians
one OF the Boston papers, in announcing his death
says:-
he des The ioarsbe ABBOT
Ss % nsp a. hs and sgs
Illness me spirit OF ihis valued and excellent man passed
q hftom s Of 3 rs Maker Esye5y,ns a the and s
death had marked him victim and human aid was un
assins Tor several days . his
hours immsdaes preceding hl dsceass Was wholly Gacoa
e before nrosds Of dsease His isst safernss
ssIs aieyaed md hs last hours frightened BY
smoohed by the hands OF affection and love-
Mf. Lawrence was a man Of mark-a perfect type Of
Ango'saxon enterprise industry perseverance, aud be
ralty lie belonged to the school Of self made men and
like George Law, Cornelius Vanderbilt and other dstin
gnshed Americans he his schooimaster md
the architect Of his own fortunes.
His political life not distinguished for any brilliant
achievements, either Senator a diplomat. In
Congress he spoke ltte but always to the point and
gawAsth0 House the plain facts OF the lie was a
sansyxfdve, high tariff dyed-in-t n-thewool Clay AMI
Webster whig.
Abbott Lawrence was born in Groton, Massachusctts
on the sixteenth OF December 1892 lie the third Of
five sons His father poor farmer and was unable
to give his children anything than the winter
attendance at the town school, a privilege which il
given TO every child f New England wi,hou, money aud
without price. The elder brother Mr. Andrew lawrence
left home early in life and his father by mortgaging
his farm. raised one thousand dollars which was in.
yesedfn Iek Of dry goods for Amos, who established
himself in Cornhill doing safe business in small way
Abbott left Groton when he sixteen and served be-
hind his brothers counter during five years When he
attained bis majority, himself and his brother William
were taken in partnership with Amosthus forming the
foundation OF the famous house OF A. h A. Lawrence h
Co. The brothers became wholesale dealers and
then importers and Mr. Abbott Lawrence made several
voyages abroad and these adventures always turned
ont well for the house In 1919 lie married Katharine
the eldes, daughter Of Timothy Bigeow, distinguished
lawyer and politician Of Massachusetts. Five sons and
daughters the issue Of this marriage OF whom
Mr.. Timothy b. lawrence is attached to the United
States Legation at London
The Brothers Lawrence continued to prosper. The
txh Of 1925 considered god-send for tho North
and it certainly gave great impetus to American
factures Mr.. Lawrence and his brother among the
earliest movers in building Lowell and other
ing places, and after years lin 1890 they changed
their business from importing 10 commission merchants
of Agrcuturs and Manufacturers held at Harrisburg
Fennsy yivania, in the summer duly 3o) oi 1927.
Mr.. Abbott Lawrence early identified himself with the
whig party. His first public Office that OF Common
Councilman of Boston, to which b. elected in 1890
In 1e3 he elected TO Congress, and member of
the Committee Of Ways and Means. lie did not often
gage in debate Of his speeches made during this Con-
gress probably the best delivered January H.
1857, proposition to reduce the Of the
United States to the wants OF the government II
reference this speech that the Hon. Thomas Corwn
said:-My friend from Massachusetts fMr Iawrence)
who addressed you with much force and cicarnes yes
erday has left nothing to be said any oi these topics
sir The results of that gentleman actual experience
always nided by the promppgs Of gooi heart with
me better authority on such subjects than thousand
quartos Allied with the speculatons a closced
mists.u
Mr. Lawrence declined reelection. on his return TO
Boston nj the close Of Congress many Of his fellow c
zens desirous extending him TO their own
wordr) IA sigt Indication II their personal esteem and
Of their sensc Of his public character and accordingly
invited him 20 Iarake at public dinner. In letter
declining the invitation Mr.. Lawrence discussed tho
prt incnt political questions Of the day and IN relation
10 the annexation u Texas which then first began 20 he
agitated, tad: let u maintain the constitution as we
received il from fathers, and resist every Ttemp
at the acquisition Of territory TO he inhabited BY
slaves"
Avacsncy having occurred in the Massachusetts, Con-
grcssiona delegation in 1899, Mr. Lawrence chosen
I'LL II, and Ire took his December ~ the
year. In the month II March following $50 he
severely attacked with the yphus fever and tor time
his recovery was extremely doubtful in consequence of
this scknc~a Mr. Lawrence resigned his rrat and thus
terminated his Congressional services.
Mr. Lawrence allowed politics Ia interfere with
his business. lie u thorough merchant and only
mingled in politics a secondary affair His pbnsint
manners donhomm the French call it,) made him
great iavorite with all parties at Washington.
At the Inauguration ~ General Harrison, in 1sf, Mr.
taSrt at Warrington where hr furnished plan
for National Hank with capital oi ~ 900 600 which
never actc upon. The next year 1s'2) he ap
pointed by the Governor a Massachusetts, Of the