Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1913-01-10
ROBERT A. EAWRENCEs

Vermonter:
Robert Ashton Lawrence was born
at Rutland, Vermont, October Is,
1878, and was instantly killed there Sun
day morning, March 10, 1912, by clasp
ing an incandescent electric lamp, while
standing in water,-a sacrifice to the
modern science of electricity.
His parents were Mr.. and Mrs. George
Edwin Lawrence. His father graduated
in the class of 1867 from Middlebury
college and has been life long leader
of the Rutland County Bar. His mother
was Katherine Phelan, who resided
until her marriage in Shrewsbury, YER
mont
His grandfather, Edwin Lawrence,
resided in Weybridge, in Addison
County, Vermont, the ancestral home
being the present Government Morgan
Horse Farm, located about two miles
north-westerly of Middlebury station.
Robert A. Lawrence graduated from
Rutland High school in 1894, and after
spending a year in additional studies in
the High school and in his fathers law
office, entered the University of Yer
mont, graduating in 1899. From as early
as his freshman year in college, he was
conspicuous for the qualities that after
ward endeared him to all who knew
him. He was a born leader, organizer
/ nd ht1c net f1ar
has well said, ''of good mentality, high
aspirations and remarkable degree of
energy" He had the all around and
ever new ambitions of an Alexander, and
sought to arouse like ambitions and like
enthusiasms in those about him, both
young and old In college, all about him
must be stirred to action, both to do the
things as yet by others untried and also
to improve upon the doing of the old
traditional things. He advocated more
and better athletics, more and louder
college spirit, and the organization of q
debating club. With him, every sub
ject must be debated and proved, moth.
ing taken for granted. Many a fellow
collegian had aroused within him an in.
terest in public affairs from listening tC
Roberts lucid arguments. AS he never
tired of debating any subject, with any
who might show an interest, he rapidly
trained by practice forensic abilities
with which he was naturally endowed
At the same time he was imparting new
/ life TO both faculty and associates
Throughout his college course he grew
rapidly. fcr eacu new subject interested
him and revealed to him a new world OF
possible nc witty. For to him activity
was JOY ana enthusiasm a normal con
dit n.
The cl ASS of1S99, of which he was on,
Of the youngest members, was notable
as the largest class that had until ther
entered Vermont college and as being
closely knit together from the first 10y
an intense class spirit. All of its origi
nal members except two were Yer
monters. They came from all corner.
of the state and afforded each other fol
four years truly state acquaintance
The subject of this sketch was mana
ger of the '99 freshman baseball team
known in college parlance as "Pf
Lawrence's colts" POSTMASTER of the
freshman banquet at the soon after
burned Weldon House in st. Adams
played sophomore year on the victor
ious class foot ball team, and on the
varsity foot ball eleven his junior year
won Kingsley prize for defamation,
was active in the debating, classical anc
cotillion clubs and on the military hoI
committee, served his junior year as as
sstant in the Billings library, reported
the college news daily for the Burling.
ton Free Press, was senior Founder S
day speaker and captain of B. Company
of the University Battalion.
He graduated with honor in the elias
steal course. being a commencement
speaker, elected to the Phi Beta Kappa
honorary society, and one of three
recommended to the War Department
for proficiency in military science His
fraternity was Delta Psi.
After graduation he studied law ir
the office of his father and was admit.
ted to the Vermont bar in 1901, being
engaged thereafter in the practice OF
his profession in partnership with his
father.
Upon his admission to the bar he al
once became attorney for large indus
trial interests in Rutland County, es-
pecially those connected with the
marble industries. He was an untirine
worker in his profession and threw him
self unsparingly into any cause he took
up. He was always master of his sub,
ject. Business ability, which he pos
sessed in high degree, added to hi.
value as counsel. At the time of hi.
death, he was counsel for the Vermont