Cumberland County, Maine - James Lawrence
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Biography
James Lawrence
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 395-397


James Lawrence, a leading farmer and prominent resident of North Yarmouth mouth,
an ex-member of the Maine legislature, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born
in Gray, September 4, 1842, son of Nathaniel S. and Mary Ann (Harris) Lawrence.
Mr. Lawrence's grandfather, Ephraim Lawrence, who was born in Groton, Mass., in
1765, moved from Groton to Gray, where he was engaged in farming the major part
of his life, and died in that town June 13, 1847, aged eighty-two years. He was
an in industrious and successful farmer, a Whig in politics and in religious
belief a Methodist. Ephraim's wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Sawtelle, born
in Pepperell, Mass., May 1, 1773, died November 11, 1863. They had ten children,
some of whom died young.

Nathaniel S. Lawrence, who was born in Groton, Mass., July 2, 1799, accompanied
his parents to Gray. He received a good education, and afterward taught school
for fifty terms. In early manhood he engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he
followed with success. He went to California in 1852, but returned in 1854.
Prominent in public affairs, he was a member of the Board of Selectmen and Town
Clerk for a number of years, and ably represented his district in the
legislature for two terms. In politics he was a Republican, joining that party
at its formation; and in his religious belief he was a Universalist. He died
October 19, 1882, aged eighty-three years. He was twice married, first to
Elizabeth S. Harris in 1833, having one child, Elizabeth A. In 1835 he married
his second wife, maiden name Mary Ann Harris, a sister of the first wife and a
native of Gray. They had nine children, of whom twin girls died in infancy. The
rest attained maturity, and four are now living, namely: James, the subject of
this sketch; Mary A., who has taught school successfully for many years; Alice
J., the wife of W. G. Freeman, of Portland; and Maria 0., the wife of Ansel L.
Dunn, of North Yarmouth. The deceased were: Elizabeth, A., who was the wife of
Dr. William Warren Green, formerly a well-known surgeon of Portland; Frank, a
resident of Portland, who married Lucinda P. Sawyer, of Gray, and by her had one
child, Lucinda M.; Luther, who served as Captain of Company H, Eleventh
Regiment, Maine Volunteers, in the Civil War, was mortally wounded in the battle
at Deep Bottom, Va., August 16, and died in Chesapeake Hospital at Fortress
Monroe, September 3, 1864, aged twenty-four years; and Charles, who served as a
private in Company C, Twelfth Maine Regiment, and was drowned while skating on
Royal's River at the age of eighteen years. The mother died January 2, 1894,
aged eighty-two.

James Lawrence spent his youth in Gray and Pownal, receiving his elementary
education in the district schools and completing his studies at the North
Yarmouth Academy. He was reared to farm life, and resided with his parents until
March 26, 1864, when he enlisted as a private in Company H, Eleventh Maine
Regiment, commanded by his brother, Captain Luther Lawrence. With his regiment
he participated in the series of engagements that immediately preceded the
surrender of General Lee, and was present at Appomattox when that memorable
event occurred. He was wounded at the battle of Deep Bottom on August 16, 1864.
In July, 1865, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant of Company C,
Sixth United States Colored Troops. He subsequently served until October of that
year, when he was honorably discharged. After leaving the army, he entered the
clothing and furnishing business in Boston as a clerk. Four years later he
engaged in store-keeping on his own account, dealing in hats, caps, and general
furnishing goods. He continued in this occupation until July, 1874, when he
moved to North Yarmouth, where he has since resided. In 1882 he took possession
of the old Marston homestead, a farm of eighty acres, which he has since
conducted with profit. He carries on general farming and dairying, keeping from
ten to fifteen finely bred cows. In politics he actively supports the Republican
party, being a prominent leader in local public affairs. He has served as a
member of the Board of Selectmen for six consecutive terms, and he was elected
to represent his district in the legislature for 1895 and 1896. He is now one of
the Trustees of the North Yarmouth School Fund and a Director of the North
Yarmouth Fire Insurance Company.

On March 31, 1869, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage to Ellen M. Marston, who
was born in North Yarmouth, July 6, 1843, daughter of Captain Levi and Lavina
(Mitchell) Marston. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have five children, as follows: Alice
L., who was born October 27, 1870, married the Rev. Charles P. Cleaves, June 12,
1893, and has one daughter, named Mary Lawrence; Frank L., who was born July 20,
1872, and is now filling a responsible position in the United States General
Appraiser's office of New York City; Herbert M., who was born August 25, 1874,
and is now a prosperous farmer; Chester J., who was born August 13, 1876, and is
also engaged in farming; and Charles D., who was born August 5, 1878, and is now
a student in North Yarmouth Academy. Mr. Lawrence is a member of Casco Lodge, A.
F. & A. M., and of the Knights of Pythias; and he is a comrade of Haskell Post,
Grand Army of the Republic. He occupies a prominent position in North Yarmouth,
where both he and his wife are highly esteemed for their liberal hospitality and
social qualifications.