My Genealogy Hound

LEVI B. LAWRENCE. Almost seventy-four years have passed over the head of the gentleman who is the subject of this sketch, leaving their impress in the whitening hair and lined features, but, while the outer garment of the soul shows the wear and tear of years, the man himself is richer, nobler and grander for the experience that each successive decade has brought him. He is one of the old settlers of Cass County, and is now the owner of a pleasant home on section 11, Volinia Township. He is a native of New York, born on the banks of Chautauqua Lake June 12, 1819, and the son of Levi L. and Mary (Fales) Lawrence, both natives of Hampshire County, Mass. The grandfather of our subject, John L. Lawrence, was a native of England, but of Welsh descent.

Levi L. Lawrence was born on the 1st of November, 1783, and his wife on the 22d of October of the same year. He was a mechanic, black-smith and edge-tool maker, and worked ten years in the United States Armory, at Springfield, Mass., making muskets, etc. He was one of the few men at that time who could make tools for gunlocks. He married Miss Fales on the 1st of October, 1806, and made his home in his native State until the spring of 1821, when he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. For seven or eight years he followed his trade in a large shop in that city, but still owned a farm on the banks of a lake in New York. This he sold, converted the proceeds into lumber, and rafted it to Cincinnati. From there he removed to southern Indiana, and identified himself with the Owen Society, but at the end of one year returned to Cincinnati. Later he went to Butler County, Ohio, and thence came to Cass County, Mich., in 1831, entering land on section 12, Volina Township, removing here September 4, 1832. In 1839 he went to Missouri, thence a couple of months later to Cincinnati, Ohio, and finally came back to Michigan, where his death occurred October 19, 1857. His wife had passed away on the 18th of October, 1839. Seven children were born of this union, two of whom, besides our subject, are now living, Maria Jacobs and Jane Terwilliger. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence were reared Presbyterians, but later he became a believer in the Swedenborgian doctrine, and was very active in religious matters. He took very little interest in politics. Honest and upright in every walk of life, no man was more highly esteemed.

When fourteen years of age, the original of this notice came with his parents to Michigan, and he attended the first school ever held in Volinia Township, a subscription school. The claim his father entered was timber, and he was one of two who cleared and improved one hundred acres here. Indeed, there is little of pioneer work that he has not experienced, in its hardships, disadvantages or pleasures. When twenty-one years of age he started out to make his own way in life without a dollar, and first went in debt for sixty-two acres of his present farm. On the 4th of February, 1849, he was married to Miss Eveline E. Copley, a native of Jefferson County, N. Y., born March 26, 1824, and a sister of the Hon. A. B. Copley, of Decatur, Mich.

After his marriage Mr. Lawrence went actively to work to clear and improve his farm and to pay off the indebtedness upon it. His success has depended in a measure on the large crops of wheat that he raises each year, for he makes that a specialty. As the years passed by he added to the original tract until he became the owner of eight hundred and sixty-six acres, over six hundred acres being under cultivation. He is the largest and most thorough-going farmer in the township. He raises grain and clover seed, but very little stock, other than cows and work horses, and has ever been a hard worker. Possessed of a wonderful constitution, there has hardly been a day in thirty years when he could not get out to superintend his work. He erected a fine brick residence in 1874, and his broad acres and beautiful rural home are one of the most pleasing features of Violinia township. His residence was erected at a cost of $10,000, has sixteen rooms, and is elegantly furnished.

Mr. Lawrence is also the owner of two other residences, or tenant houses, besides other property. Farming, though, has been his principal occupation. Three children were born to his marriage. Linneus L., born May 13, 1853, married Miss Amanda Wheaten and now resides in New York; they have one child. Archie L., the second child, was born February 11, 1855. He married Miss Matilda Van Riper, and they reside in this township. Austin E., born November 13, 1858, married Miss Eva Olcott, and also resides in this township. He is the father of two children. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence are members of the Swedenborgian Church, and are both highly esteemed in the community. He has held most of the township offices, and is a stanch Republican in his political views. This worthy man never had a lawsuit and never collected but one debt.