Source: Columbia City Weekly Commercial, December 12, 1894

GEO. W. LAWRENCE DEAD.

George W. Lawrence for years one of the most wealthy as well as one of the most prominent citizens of North Manchester died at his palatial house in that city last night. Mr. Lawrence has been in delicate health for several years.

Source: North Manchester Journal, December 13, 1894

DEATH OF GEORGE W. LAWRENCE
He Passes Quietly Over the Dark River on Sunday Evening After a Long Sickness.

George W. Lawrence died at his home in this city last Sunday evening [Dec. 9] at six o'clock. For over a year past he had been in very poor health, and for the past two months was confined to the house and the greater part of the time to his bed. His death was due to a complication of diseases, principal among which was diabetes and a lung trouble, together with other causes arising from an exhausted physical condition. From the time that he was first affected everything that was possible was done for his benefit and the best medical skill was brought to his aid, but he was beyond mortal help and the grim reaper came to claim him on Sunday evening. His death was peaceful and he was conscious to within a short time of the end, peacefully resigned to meet his fate.

Probably no man in the community was better known than Mr. Lawrence. He has been identified with the growth and history of North Manchester since the earliest history of the town. Coming here when but a boy, with no capital but his own energy and perseverance, he built up a large business and amassed much wealth. During that time his life has been an open book to the people of this community and it would be useless for us to describe in detail that which is familiar to all. Mr. Lawrence has always been held in the highest esteem by his friends and neighbors and his demise has caused general sorrow in the community.

He leaves a family of a wife, one daughter, three grand-children and numerous other relatives besides a countless number of life-long and intimate friends to mourn his death. As a mark of respect in which he was held nearly all business houses were closed yesterday during the hour of the funeral and the assemblage on that occasion was one of the largest ever known in the city.

The funeral services occurred yesterday at twelve o'clock at the Methodist church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Stewart, assisted by Rev. Albert Wright and Rev. Father Wells, to an audience that completely filled the house. The display of floral tributes was the grandest ever seen in this city on an occasion of this kind. The remains were laid to rest with Masonic ceremonies in Oak Lawn cemetery.

Mr. Lawrence was a member of Deming lodge F. and A.M. of this city and of the Warsaw Commandary Knights Templar, the latter organization having charge of the burial. The Masonic lodge of this city attended in a body, and there large delegations from the lodges and commandaries at Warsaw, Wabash and other places present besides many other friends from other places. The following brief biographical sketch has been prepared by a life-long friend of the deceased:

George W. Lawrence was born near Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, June 2, 1836. In 1837 he came to Wayne county, Indiana, with his parents where he lived until 1840 and then went to Wayne county, Ohio. In October 1841, he came to Miami county, Indiana, and remained until 1846, when he went to Baltimore, Maryland, living there four years. In the year 1850 he came to Wabash county, which has been his home ever since.

Although possessed of a rather delicate physical organization he was inured to the hardships of pioneer life until the age of fifteen (now forty-three years ago), when he came to North Manchester and engaged to work in the dry goods store of Mr. John Whisler. having up to this time been employed by many different persons, it is an admitted fact that whatever he was engaged in he performed his duty diligently, honestly and faithfully.

In the store, from the modest and diffident boy that he was, he soon became an expert salesman and by his honest and fair dealing and above all an inimitable affability of manner he not only won customers but a host of life-long friends.

In 1859 he was married to Miss Jennie C. Holcomb and permanently located in North Manchester. By diligence and strict economy he soon was enabled to enter a most prosperous business career on his own account, which was successfully followed until about one year ago when his health failed so much he was compelled to withdraw from active participation therein. In the last few years of his life Mr. Lawrence has been a great sufferer, yet through it all his patience and resignation has have been marvelous.

In his religious opinions Mr. Lawrence was a liberal, a firm believer in the fundamental principles of christianity, but that good deeds were far better than professions in doctrines and creeds.

In whatever relation his friends now remember him, whether in business, in society or as a neighbor, they feel that his place can never be filled by another. Mr. Lawrence was much attached to his family, a faithful and congenial husband and a kind and indulgent father, all of which we are happy to know was fully reciprocated by his most devoted and faithful wife and loving children, who now have the sympathy of the entire community in this their sad bereavement.