My Genealogy Hound

T. D. Lawrence, general merchant, Tuckerman, Ark. Mr. Lawrence’s career in life, as far as its connection with industrial affairs is concerned, might be divided into two periods, that during which he was occupied in agricultural pursuits, and his more recent experience in the capacity of a merchant. He owes his nativity to the Blue Grass State, where his birth occurred, in 1836, and is second in a family of five children born to William and B. Gatsy (Pace) Lawrence, natives of Alabama. They settled in Kentucky at an early day, but later moved from there to Tennessee. Mr. Lawrence was a very active man in the early history of the State, and was a successful tiller of the soil. His death occurred in West Tennessee, in 1844, and he was a member of the Hard Shell Baptist Church. The mother died in 1886, at the age of seventy-two years. T. D. Lawrence secured a fair education in the schools of Gibson County, and was early instructed in the mysteries of farm life. He was the second of the following children: Mary (now Mrs. Shelton, resides in Weakley County, Tenn.), T. D., Susan (now Mrs. Clemons, resides in Howell County, Mo.), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Parker, resides in Weakley County, Tenn.), and John William, whose death occurred in Weakley County, Tenn., in 1858, at the age of nineteen years. T. D. Lawrence came to Jackson County, Ark., in November, 1860, locating in Bird Township, entered land and bought 160 acres, which he proceeded to cultivate. He was married in Jackson County, in 1861, to Miss Sarah V. Palmer, a native of Memphis, Tenn., and daughter of Samuel and Louisa (Means) Palmer. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer were natives of Kentucky, and were among the pioneers of Jackson County, Ark. Mr. Palmer was a farmer and an honorable, upright citizen. After his marriage, T. D. Lawrence settled in Bird Township, where he opened up some land, and where he now has 800 acres under cultivation. He is the owner of 1,700 acres in Jackson County, and 330 acres in two farms in Lawrence County, near Alicia. He is a successful stock raiser, and on his extensive farm may be found many fine cattle and hogs. He has about seventeen tenants on his farms. He also runs two cotton-gins and a blacksmith shop, besides owning considerable property in town. He owns 160 acres adjoining Tuckerman, or rather owns East Tuckerman, and lots have been laid off. He has resided in town since 1885, and has followed the general mercantile business since, although in 1881 he engaged in this business on his farm. He lost his wife in 1879. By that union he became the father of five children: William Shelby (married, and resides on the home farm), Lula Lee (now Mrs. Spriggs, resides in this county), Felix, Albert and Lucien. Mr. Lawrence was married again in Jackson County, in 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Perrox, a native of Craighead County, Ark. He has taken quite an active part in politics, and votes with the Republican party. He was in the service a short time during the war, then exchanged and remained in the North until the close of hostilities. He has served in different official capacities, viz.: deputy sheriff, magistrate, and has been a member of the school board. He is deeply interested in educational matters. Mrs. Lawrence is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.