The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-04
A CENTENARIAN GONE.
Death of Captain Lawrence Merscrcau,
Aged One Hundred Years nnd Twenty
Days-A Man Who Voted mt Every
Presidential Election Since the Time OF

From the Union (Broome county, News.l
Captain Lawrence Mersereau, one Of the oldest
citizens of Union, died at the residence of his daugh
ter, Mrs. Hannah Witherill, at about halt-past
twelve O'Clock p M. on Friday, January "a, 1873 at
the advanced age OF one hundred years. His death
was sudden and unexpected. He was sitting in his
chair, and, to all appearance, was usually well.
He had taken some refreshments ten minutes pre-
vious to his death. His daughter who was the
only person present, was dressing to attend the
funeral Of Mrs. David Messereau. He called her at
nah." She satisfied him that the doors were closed
and then stepped into an adjoining room AS she
She returned and found tnat the spirit had taken
its night-peaceiully he had passed away.
4 TIA, Ne was the third SON OF Joshua Mersereai.
who was one OF the first settlers in this county
Lawrence was about fourteen years OF age when
his parents moved into this section OF the State
and settled on lands near Hooper. Soon after
which he enlisted, and was commissioned as en-
sign He afterwards obtained a captains commits
sion. He served ten years in the army. His first
vote for President was cast for George Washington.
in the year 1889, when he was but sixteen years of
soldier worth $3.50 was entitled to vote. That
Lawrence might exercise this right his father gave
him five acres of land. He voted at every Pres-
Dental election during his life
In 1887 Mr.. Mersereau left the old farm and
moved into this village, where he lived up TO the
date OF his death. AT the age Of twenty-five he
married Hannah Christopher, by whom he had ten
children five sons and Ave aaughters-namely,
Hester, Mariah, Joshua, Clarissa, George W., Law
renee, Mary, William, Hannah and John Call Of
whom now living except Hester, Marian and
Clarlssa. His youngest son, John G. Mersereau, is
the present Register Of the New York Gold Ex-
change. Mr.. Mersereau was an active, energetic
and enterprising business man. OF more than ordi-
nary ability. He always took special interest In
public improvements. When the Erie Railway was
first projected he gave his approval and when 1t
became fixed fact he contributed tract of land
to the company. During his active years he pur-
sued farming and numbering. He was shrewd
fnancier had an active mind and an indomtable
will
He enjoyed excellent health until past ninety
eight years of age and retained his mental facul-
ties in remarkable degree. Even in the hour pre-
vious to his death he conversed freely and gave
evidence that his memory, which was wonderfully
retentive, had by the lapse OF over century been
but little impaired. At the age OF sixty he united
with the Presbyterian Church, and led an exem-
plary life as member thereof He had singu-
larry erect and handsome form, stately carriage,
q physique OF Herculean mould, a cOuntenance
beaming with intelligence. His manner was uni
fOrmly c0urtly, and dgnfed in its courtliness. lie
was the natural p0ssessOr OF q delightful suavity
everywhere and always winning and attractive
This was Lawrence Mersereau In his younger days
and how well he retained these characteristics all
WI