FRANK LAWRENCE, a highly respected citizen of Oakland township, was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, in 1851, a son of Thomas Henry Lawrence. His father removed to Illinois about 1848, and settled near Rockford, where he bought a farm on which he passed the remainder of his days; he died in 1853, in the prime of a prosperous life, leaving a widow and eight young children. Soon after his death his wife disposed of the estate, which was valued at $1,300, and returned to Orange county, New York. Her maiden name was Sarah Randle, and she was a daughter of Jesse Randle; she now resides in Warwick, New York, and is still vigorous both in mind and body. Five of the children survive. Thomas H., Jesse R. and A. P. were volunteers in the late war; they all came out alive, but all were wounded; Thomas H. and Jesse R. are both deceased.

Mr. Lawrence came to the West in 1871, his objective point being Council Bluffs, Iowa. In the spring of 1873 he went to Colorado, making part of the journey by rail, and the rest overland by pack train. In 1882 he returned to the East, and then came to Ray, Schuyler county, where he has since resided.

He was united in marriage to Mary E. Baxter Sumner, in 1885; Mrs. Lawrence died July 15, 1889, leaving one son, Thomas H. Lawrence, born in August, 1888. Mr. Lawrence was married a second time, February 8, 1891, when he was united to Josie Glimpse, a daughter of James and Sarah (Shirley) Glimpse, natives of Illinois; the Shirley family is from New Jersey, and the Glimpse family came from Indiana. James Glimpse died in 1891, at the age of forty-five years, leaving a family of five children. Mr. Lawrence occupies a pleasant home in Ray, which he erected in 1891; he owns about sixty acres of land. He has had charge of the Ray tile works as superintendent and foreman; he has filled the position with marked ability. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to the blue lodge, chapter and commandry.