Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-25
Foremost Citizen of Med
ford, Mass, Is Dead,
Prominent in Railroad Matters
End High Up in Masonry.
Family Made Famous by Manu-.
facture Of Medford Rum.

MedPord, Mass. Sept. 24-GencraI
Samuel G. Lawrence, Medford's first
mayor and foremost citizen. died few
minutes after o'clock tonight, after
an Illness extending over several
months.
At the bedside when the end came
were the members of the family, in
Guiding Mrs. Lawrence, William b.
Lawrence. son; Mrs. George l..
Batchelder, daughter; Daniel W.
Lawrence, a brother; and Mrs. George
II. Barrett, a sister. Death had been
anticipated for several days.
Gen. Lawrence had been i'll since
spring having been stricken, while in
Florida, with kidney and bladder
trouble and for six weeks he had not
been able to leave his bed. For several
days past police officer had been sta
toned outside the Lawrence estate on
Rural avenue to ensure quietness for
the patient.
Dr. James +. Cleeves. the family
physician, had been in almost constant
attendance at the bedside. Yesterday
ii was seen that the end was approach
ing and lie remained at the Lawrence
night Late today he was again sum
moncd and remained until the end
came.
The death of Gen. Lawrence leaves
but two OF the 81 members who in
1867 were instrumental in bringing
about a union of the Scottish Rite Ma
sonic bodies The survivors are Abra-
ham T. Metealf Of Michigan and VIII
liam Pitt Preble of Maine.
Samuel Croeker Lawrence was born
in Medford. Nov. -, 1892. the son Of
Daniel and Elizabeth eCrocker) Law
renee. After fitting for college in the
Medford public schools Mr. Lawrence
entered Harvard University, gradual
ing in 1855 and receiving the degree of
A. NJ. in 1878. Going 10 Chicago he
entered the banking business with
success. bat in 1861 he returned to
Medford to engage with his father and
brother under the firm of Daniel Law
renee & Sons in the distillery business
The manufacture of rum had been the
chief business of the Lawrence family
for ITO years, up to within a few years,
when GEN Lawrence gave it up. The
family made the name "Medford rum
known III every Nudftei VI tii' WI IA
on April ~, 1859. "a, Lawrence married
in Charlestowu. Miss Carrie Rebeeca'
daughter of Rev William and Rebecea
Badger of Wilton, Maine.
Gen. Lawrence early became Identified
with Masonry and in 1856 he Was invested
with the sd degree. After filling many
high offices in the institution he was
made a lieutenant grand commander OF
the Supreme council, SD degree Northern
Masonic Jurisdiction. He owned what Is
considered to be one of the most extensive
Masonic libraries in the world.
Entering the state militia in 1855, Mr..
Lawrence rose TO the command of the 5th
Massachusetts Infantry. At the outbreak
of the Civil war hc enlisted and was
wounded at the first battle OF Bull Run.
He was commissioned brigadier general of
the state militia in 1867 and was honor
ably discharged in 1861.
In railroad matters he Was active in the
rehabilitation of the Old Eastern Railroad
Co. Upon the merger of that line with
the Boston & Maine Railroad Gen. Law
renee was made director of that system
and in 1893 became a member of the eX-
ecutive board. He also had prominent
part in the successful reorganization of
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fee Rail-
road Co several years ago.
When Medford became city Gen Law
renee was chosen to be the first mayor,
and he served the city in other capacities
Gen Lawrence was lover of nature and
his large tracts of woodland were thrown
open to the public at all times.