Saline County Bios "Portrait and Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties," 1893
THOMAS H. LAWRENCE, living on section
36, Eureka Township, Saline County, claims
Ohio as the State of his nativity. He was
born in Trumbull County, July 6, 1844.(khhp) His
father and mother were both born in Wales, the
former in Newport, South Wales, and the latter,
whose maiden name was Mary Ann Smith, in Swansea, South Wales. Having emigrated to America,
they lived for some time in Trumbull County,
Ohio. From there they removed to Galena, Jo
Daviess County, Ill., where they resided most of
the time until their deaths.
Our subject was reared chiefly in Galena, and
when eighteen years of age, enlisted in Company F, Ninety-sixth
Illinois Infantry. His services commenced August 14, 1862, and continued
only a few months, when he was discharged on account of disability.
Returning to Galena, he proceeded to learn the harness-maker's trade, in which
occupation he was engaged for some three years.
At the expiration of that time, Mr. Lawrence began keeping a hotel in Galena, and followed that
business for four and a-half years. His next place
of residence was in New Hampton, Iowa, where
he worked at his trade of harness-making for a
year, when he returned to his old home in Jo Daviess County, Ill., where he was in business for a
year. During the succeeding two and a-half years,
he devoted his energies to the butchering business,
after which he returned to his native county and
engaged in coal-mining for three years. He spent
the following year in Iowa, selling sewing machines, after which he turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits, renting land in Kirksville, Mo.,
which he operated for six months. In the autumn
of 1879, Mr. Lawrence went to Dickinson County,
settling on section 31, Wheatland Township, where
he remained until 1886, when he moved across the
line into Saline County, where he now resides.
Since coming to Kansas, Mr. Lawrence has devoted
his time and attention wholly to farming. On his
fine farm of two hundred and forty acres he has
made good improvements and erected substantial
buildings, which indicate the thrift and enterprise
of the owner.
Mr. Lawrence's marriage took place in Galena,
Ill., February 6, 1866, his bride being Miss Mary
Eustice, who was born in Jo Daviess County, Ill.,
May 7, 1845. Her father was John Eustice and
her mother was Ann Ward, both of Cornwall, England. The deaths of both occurred in Jo Daviess
County. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have four living
children: James G., Ella M., George C. and Ida
I. They lost three children when young.
Mr. Lawrence, since coming to this State, has
taken an active interest in all enterprises pertaining to the welfare of the community. He has been
elected to fill a number of the township offices. and
has performed his duties in those positions with
fidelity and zeal. In his social relations, he is a
member of J. H. Steadman Post No. 465, G. A. R.
Mr. Lawrence has led an active and useful life,
and, in whatever business engaged, his upright and
honorable dealing has won him the esteem and respect of all.
Return to Saline Co. KHHP
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This website created June 15, 2011 by Sheryl McClure. � 2011 Kansas History and Heritage Project
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