Connecticut western news., 1900-01-18
EDMUND D, LAWRENCE.

Edmund D. Lawrence, retired busi. ness man and almost life long resident of the town, died at his residence on Granite Avenue in this village on Mou- day morning after long illness result ing from paralytio shocks. The funeral will be held at II o'clock this forenoon at his late residence, burial at East Ca nasn, services conducted by Rev H. Utterwick assisted by Rev $. A. Burma by.
 Edmund D Lawrence, son of Har- vey and Betsey (Dunning) Lawrence, was born in this town January 20, 1920. His father ard his grand d-father-Josiah Lawrence-were also natives of Canaan. Edmund was one of three children Amy, Edmuad and Catherine-of whom only Catherine now survives. Edmund's father died in 1865, and his mother in 1870.
 Edmund D. Lawrence lived at home until IS years of age yhen he secured employment in one of the East Canaan forges at $12.50 per month to start. bat became proficient workman, and with increased wages remained there fifteen years. He then engaged in the mer- cantile business for two years with the | late Lyman Dlnning in the store now carried on by E. l.. Roberts & Go Retiring from that business he became agent for Norfolk manufacturing con- csrn and travelled in the South selling hoes. The civil war cutting off the southern market for these goods, the factory went to making what were called Springfield muskets and MT Lawrence still remained as an agent, being em- ployed by this concern for seven years, The following six years he was engaged in various enterprises. The next seven years he was associated with J. A. Underwood d in the making of sash and blinds at the factory now operated by Johnson, Lindell X Co. Early in the seventies he became 8 partner of Daniel l.. Peirce in the lime burning business which had been started shortly before by Mir Peirce and John Grace, the latter having died from injuries he received in the qaarry. Mir Lawrence remained in this business fifteen years, the firm names being Peirce & Lawrence and Peirce, Lawrence $ Co.,, when he sold his interests to the other partners D. l.. Peirce and D. l.. Freeman. The concern is now The Peirce $ Free man Company.
 In 1855 Edmund Lawrence was mar ried to Lydia Rood, daughter of Dennis Rood of Canaan. They had no issue but adopted as-a daughter Emma Ad- ans, niece of Mrs Lawrence's, who with Mrs Lawrence. and the sister Catherine, survive the subject of this sketch.
 Mir Lawrence during most of his life attended the Congregational church at East Canaan and was at one time the choirister, before the day of the organ Heading the singing by playing the bass notes on what was then called small bass viol, now known as violoncello. During the latter years of his life, since his residence on Granite Avenue, Mir Lawrence has been an attendant of the Pilgrim Congregational church here in the village. In politics Mr Lawrence was staunch Republican and was SC lectman in 1870 Fl and had been an assessor. In 1855 he represented the old town of Canaan in the Legislature, his, colleague being the late Jesse T. Millspaugh of Falls Village. He served as moderator at many town meetings. His business life had been a success and he was one of the well-to-do men of the place and few years ago built the modern resi- dence where his life slowly ebbed away, surrounded by every con ceivable com fort and the best of care. Mir Lswrsnce evidenced his public spirit by present ing to the town In 1888 new brick library building wherein the Douglas Library (now free public library) founded in 1921, was placed.