First Draft of the Biography of John Dresser Lawrence, the Husband of my Great-Grandaunt

John Dresser Lawrence Business Card Case

 So, I am starting to put together a biograph on John Dresser Lawrence.  He was the husband of my Great Grandaunt Lucy Amy Reed.  I have inherited some of his things including a pair of cufflinks and have a number of letters that reference his death.  As I go through the letters I'll be adding to this biography.

John D. Lawrence card

John Dresser Lawrence(1847-1907)
Husband of Great-Grandaunt
Born: April 11, 1847 in Castine, Maine

Father: Ithiel Lawrence(1812-1880)
Mother: Mary Abigail Dresser(1822-1910)

Married: Lucy Amy Reed(1848-1918) on May 25th, 1870 in Northampton, MA

Died: July 4th, 1907 in Rangeley, ME

John Dresser Lawrence was born on April 11, 1847 to Ithiel Lawrence and Mary Abigail Dresser in Castine, ME. He was the second of four children. In 1850, the family was living in Castine, ME with 3 other people at least some of which were of the same profession as John’s father Ithiel. Ithiel is listed as being a House Wright in the Construction industry. He owns $2,400 worth of real estate. The family was still living in 1860. John’s father was listed as being a Master Joiner and had $3000 worth of real estate and $800 of personal property.

 

John married Lucy Amy Reed on May 25th, 1870 in Northampton, MA. She was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin Reed and Sarah Wheeler Sanders and was born in Whately, MA. This was their first marriage and it was conducted by Grodon Hall, Clergyman. John is listed as being a merchant. The couple stayed in Northampton and John is listed as working in Books and Stationary. His personal Estate is worth $2000. By 1873, the couple was living on West Street and John was working as an Auctioneer at 1 Masonic Block on Main Street.

In 1900, John and Lucy were living in a hotel in Pittsfield, MA at 2 South St. John is listed as being the Hotel Steward. According to the census he could read, write and speak english. Later they moved to Canton, Ohio where he was the manager of the McKinley Hotel.

John D. Lawrence Business Card for the McKinley Hotel

John died in Rangely, ME on July 4th, 1907. The circumstances around his death are unclear. He is buried in Bridge Street Cemetery in Northampton, MA.

Gravestone of John Dresser Lawrence

Gravesite of John Dresser Lawrence

Sources:

• 1850 United States Federal Census: Year: 1850; Census Place: Castine, Hancock, Maine; Roll: M432_254; Page: 95A; Image: 192
• 1860 United States Federal Census: Year: 1860; Census Place: Castine, Hancock, Maine; Roll: M653_438; Page: 818; Image: 802: Family History Library Film: 803438
• 1870 United States Federal Census: Year: 1870; Census Place: Northampton, Hampshire, Massachusetts; Roll: M593_621; Page: 306B; Image: 157; Family History Library Film: 552120
• 1900 United States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Pittsfield Ward 4, Berkshire, Massachusetts; Roll: 633; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0070; FHL microfilm: 1240633
• Massachusetts, Marriage Records, 1840-1915: Name John D Lawrence,  Age 24, Birth Year 1846, Birth Place Castine Maine, Marriage Date 25 May 1870,  Marriage Place Northampton, Massachusetts, USA, Father Ithiel Lawrence, Mother Mary A Lawrence, Spouse Lucy A R Sanders
• Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988:  Name John D Lawrence, Marriage Age 24, Record Type Marriage, Birth Date 1846, Marriage Date 25 May 1870, Marriage Place Northampton, Massachusetts, USA, Father White Lawrence, Mother Mary A Lawrence, Spouse Lucy A R Sanders
• Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988:  Name John D Lawrence, Record Type Marriage, Marriage Date 1870, Marriage Place Northampton, Massachusetts, USA
• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989:  Name John Lawrence, Gender Male, Spouse Lucy Lawrence, Publication Title Northampton, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1917
• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989: Name John D Lawrence, Residence Year 1873, Street Address West, Residence Place Northampton, Massachusetts, USA, Occupation Auctioneer, Publication Title Northampton, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1873
• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989:  Name J Lawrence, Residence Year 1873, Street Address 1 Masonic Bloek Main see p 28, Residence Place Northampton, Massachusetts, USA, Publication Title Northampton, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1873 
• U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989:  Name J D Lawrence, Residence Year 1873, Residence Place Northampton, Massachusetts, USA, Occupation Auctioneer And Collector, Publication Title Northampton, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1873
• U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current:  Name John Dresser Lawrence, Birth Date 11 Apr 1847, Birth Place Castine, Hancock County, Maine, United States of America, Death Date 4 Jul 1907, Death Place Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States of America, Cemetery Bridge Street Cemetery Burial or Cremation Place, Northampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States of America, Has Bio? Y, Father Ithiel Lawrence, Mother Mary A Lawrence, Spouse Lucy Amy Reed Lawrence, URL https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/59895764/john-dresser-lawrence