The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-05-09
One Of Logan County's Old
est Residents, and
MOST DISTINGUISHED AND MOST
INFLUENTIAL CITIZENS,
Closes a Long and Useful
Career.

In our Fridays issue we noticed the
fact that Judge Lawrence had been
taken quite i'll in Judge Cramer's Office,
in Kenton, while taking depositions in
a suit against him, connected with the
erection of his new block in this city.
F. He was taken with fainting spell,
which was thought to be due to indi-
gestion. After rallying somewhat, he
was taken to the residence of his son,
William, who lives in Kenton.
Mr.. Haviland, his son-in-law was
with him, and Mrs. Lawrence was sum-
moned by telephone.
Saturday, he was better, and the family
expected that he would be able to come
home, Saturday evening. But by Sat-
urday evening, he was not SO well, and
Sunday morning, Mr.. Haviland, who
had come home, was summoned to Ken
ton, again. On reaching Kenton, he at
once telephoned for the rest of the fam
lily, recognizing that the Judges end
was near.
Shortly after dinner, Sunday, the
Judge became unconscious and although
his family were all about his bedside
when he died, at 1925 o'clock Monday
morning, he passed away without a
return to consciousness.
His remains were brought home,
Monday morning, and the funeral will
take place from the residence on north
Main street, at 200 o'clock, Thursday,
and will be conducted by Rev. T. H.
Campbell.
Judge Lawrence was born at Mt.
Pleasant, Ohio, June 26, 1919. He
therefore lacked one month and nine
teen days of being 80 years old. His
father, Joseph Lawrence, died in our
city in 1855, at an advanced age.
Judge Lawrence made his way to the
eminence he held in social, political,
official and legal positions, by the
strength of his native ability, his
indomitable energy and his unceasing
industry. He owed his education to
himself, and the success he achieved in
all branches of life that he entered, was
through his own efforts.
We doubt if any one has ever risen to
as great prominence in so many differ
ent stations and callings, has amassed
as large property, and has done as
much mental and physical work, as
Judge Lawrence during the four-score
years of his life. Blessed with strong
constitution, he religiously guarded his
health, was strictly temperate, abste-
NOUS in his habits, and made the best
of his physical and mental abilities.
The work he performed was simply
prodigious.
He has filed many positions Of emf
nence, and was always attentive to his
duties. He was Prosecutor, Represen-
tative, Senator, Common Pleas Judge,
Supreme Judge, Attorney General,
Member of Congress, and First Comp
troller Of the Treasury, and held
numerous other positions of minor con.
sideration.
He began the study of law in Nc
Connellsville, Ohio, in 1888, graduated
at the law school in Cincinnati in 184O
and moved to Bellefontaine in 1S46.
He soon became leading member oi
the bar, and was associated with Hon
Ben Stanton, Judge West, Mr.. E. J.
Howenstine, and with his son Joseph
Judge West and Mr.. Howenstine were
his law students.
In the law the Judge was not only Z
prominent practitioner in the State, but
was engaged in important cases before
the Supreme Court of the United
Estates, and was voluminous writer o
Illegal works.
In Congress he served on importan
committees and was prominent mem
Der.
In our county and city, the SAM
traits that made him eminent in publi
life, made him influential, and h'
became president of the bank, amasset
large property, put up the finest blocl
in our city, and took part in al
important public enterprises.
He was for many years, until hi
death, member of the M. E. churcl
of our city, and was more than one
honored by being appointed delegat
to its National Conferences.
He was sustained through more tha
fifty wears of his life by the deyotio
and love of his excellent wife, who wa
) always loving companion and tru
counselor.
He leaves two sons, William an
John M, and two daughters, Mrs
Comelia Findlay and Mrs. Temp
Haviland, to mourn the loss of father
> to whom they were devotedly attached
l One who has so long filed so large
place in our county and city life, mus
be greatly missed for many years.