Son of John Peter Lawrence and Fannie Coats. Husband of (1) Mary Henry Motley and (2) Elda Brown Henry, father of 6.
The Texas Mesquiter 11 Dec 1908
S. A. LAWRENCE IS DEAD
End of Prominent and Wealthy Citizen Comes Suddenly
S. A. (Guss) Lawrence, a pioneer citizen of this community, not only the wealthiest citizen of this section, but one of the wealthiest of the county, died at 6:00 o'clock Wednesday morning from the effects of chloroform taken the afternoon before, evidently while his mind was temporarily unbalanced.
As soon as it was learned that he had taken the drug, physicians were summoned, all the physicians who happened to be in town at the time, viz Drs. Fender, Hudgins, Bryant and Hardy, responding. They remained with him for some time, two of them, Drs. Bryant and hardy, until he died. He regained consciousness about 10 o'clock p.m. and remained conscious until about thirty minutes before death came.
Deceased, who was the son of J. P. and Mrs. Fannie Lawrence, deceased, was born on the old Lawrence place, east of Mesquite, on Jan. 25, 1851, and remained a citizen of this community all of his life. He was twice married and is survived by a wife and five children, two by his first marriage, J. Z. Lawrence of Reinhardt and Mrs. Bedford Galloway of this place, and by three young children by his last marriage. He is also survived by a brother and sister, S. D. Lawrence of Mesquite and Mrs. R. P. Motley of near Reinhardt.
Funeral services were conducted at the church at Long Creek by Rev. P. C. Scott of Forney, former pastor of the Baptist church here, and interment took place in the Long Creek cemetery.
Mr. Lawrence was a just man and had helped many people in this section and his death was a profound shock to the entire community. The bereaved members of the family have the sympathy of all.
The Texas Mesquiter 22 Jan1909
(A picture labeled "THE LATE S. A. LAWRENCE")
The above is a likeness of S. A. (Guss) Lawrence, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Mesquite, who died at his home east of town on December 9. an account of which appeared in our issue of December 11.
The following article is contributed by a friend of Mr. Lawrence.
Guss Lawrence-An Appreciation
The subject of this sketch was born near where he died, having first seen the light of day January 25, 1851, death coming on December 9, 1908. He was a great and good man, the peer of any that ever lived to help bless the poor. Our hearts are sad for the friend that has gone-the man ever ready to help the honest man who was trying to help himself. Our sympathy goes out to the wife who has lost a husband she loved and the two little girls and one small boy whom he loved so well, and the people of our country upon whose affections he had so strong a claim, and the neighborhood which has lost the best friend it ever had. But the sorrow expressed is to the writer a personal one. Every dollar that we have and the roof that shelters our family is due to this man-his sympathy, his advice, his money and the personal interest he took in us, make us to feel that no epitaph upon the cold granite stone nor eulogistic obituary could give out the worth of this man. He was never converted to religion but in his dying hour he spoke calmly of his demise and his willingness to go.
He was a successful farmer all his life and by close economy and hard work accumulated quite a fortune, variously estimated at $200,000.00 and $250,000.00. He stood squarely upon honor in all his dealings with his fellow man and was as firm as a rock in his opinion of right. His place will not be filled. But he is gone from us now and will never know how we appreciated him. But memory of him will live as long as time shall last.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Samuel Augustus Lawrence was the first of four children born to Fannie Coats and John Peter Lawrence.
ln his early days Gus received such educational advantages as the pioneer schools of Dallas County afforded. It was John Peter who taught the children. Gus was reared to the habits of thrift and industry on his parents' farm until his marriage to Mary H. Motley on September 4, 1876. Mary was the daughter of Mary Lynn and Tom Zachariah Motley, another Dallas County pioneer family. Mary was born April 20, 1853, in Allen County, Kentucky, and traveled to Dallas in a caravan of 37 wagons, in 1856.
Gus was given a tract of land, and he built their home on Long Creek Road in Sunnyvale. Gus and Mary had two children who survived: Jefferson Zachariah, known as Joe Z. (1880-1948); and Nannie (1882-1915). Mary died July 12, 1885, due to complications from childbirth, and is buried in the Motley Cemetery. Sally Motley, their aunt, took Joe and Nannie home with her. They were raised by Aunt Sally, Uncle Will and Grandma Motley in the home located on what is now Eastfield College. When they went to "town," it was to Dallas, for they lived only 10 miles from the Court House. Here Joe was known as a Motley rather than a Lawrence since he was with the Motley men and looked so much like his Uncle Joe Motley. Gus did not forget the children and would visit them many times.
Gus became the friend of Frank and Jesse James and was visited often by them when they were down this way. Many nights they stayed at the home of John Peter, and he treated them royally. It was Gus who knew all their good qualities. One morning after they had gone, they discovered that Grandma 's horse was missing. When they checked there were several new horses in the corral. She then took his horse to be her own. This was a thoroughbred and was trained to go at top speed when the reins were tightened, to trot along gently when the reins were loosened, and to stop on a dime when the reins were dropped. When this horse was hitched to a buggy or cart, the driver would have to be careful, or he would go over the dashboard. Once Frank gave Gus a horse, called Frank, that could open gates without help from the rider. The Lawrences always kept good horses and were good riders.
Gus married Elda (Eldie) Henry in 1898 and built a larger two-story house with gingerbread trim on Long Creek Road. Three children were born to Gus and Elda: Jessie (1899); Gussie (1900-1973); and Palmer (1906-1954).
Gus is buried in Long Creek Cemetery just a short drive from his home. The January 22, 1909, issue of The Texas Mesquiter states: "He was a successful farmer all of his life, and by close economy and hard work accumulated quite a fortune, variously estimated at $200,000 to $250,000. He stood squarely upon honor in all his dealings with his fellow man and was as firm as a rock in his opinion of right. His place will not be filled. But he is gone from us now and will live as long as time shall last."
By Mary Carol Carrington Hutchinson, great granddaughter of Gus Lawrence, El Paso
The Texas Mesquiter 11 Dec 1908
S. A. LAWRENCE IS DEAD
End of Prominent and Wealthy Citizen Comes Suddenly
S. A. (Guss) Lawrence, a pioneer citizen of this community, not only the wealthiest citizen of this section, but one of the wealthiest of the county, died at 6:00 o'clock Wednesday morning from the effects of chloroform taken the afternoon before, evidently while his mind was temporarily unbalanced.
As soon as it was learned that he had taken the drug, physicians were summoned, all the physicians who happened to be in town at the time, viz Drs. Fender, Hudgins, Bryant and Hardy, responding. They remained with him for some time, two of them, Drs. Bryant and hardy, until he died. He regained consciousness about 10 o'clock p.m. and remained conscious until about thirty minutes before death came.
Deceased, who was the son of J. P. and Mrs. Fannie Lawrence, deceased, was born on the old Lawrence place, east of Mesquite, on Jan. 25, 1851, and remained a citizen of this community all of his life. He was twice married and is survived by a wife and five children, two by his first marriage, J. Z. Lawrence of Reinhardt and Mrs. Bedford Galloway of this place, and by three young children by his last marriage. He is also survived by a brother and sister, S. D. Lawrence of Mesquite and Mrs. R. P. Motley of near Reinhardt.
Funeral services were conducted at the church at Long Creek by Rev. P. C. Scott of Forney, former pastor of the Baptist church here, and interment took place in the Long Creek cemetery.
Mr. Lawrence was a just man and had helped many people in this section and his death was a profound shock to the entire community. The bereaved members of the family have the sympathy of all.
The Texas Mesquiter 22 Jan1909
(A picture labeled "THE LATE S. A. LAWRENCE")
The above is a likeness of S. A. (Guss) Lawrence, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Mesquite, who died at his home east of town on December 9. an account of which appeared in our issue of December 11.
The following article is contributed by a friend of Mr. Lawrence.
Guss Lawrence-An Appreciation
The subject of this sketch was born near where he died, having first seen the light of day January 25, 1851, death coming on December 9, 1908. He was a great and good man, the peer of any that ever lived to help bless the poor. Our hearts are sad for the friend that has gone-the man ever ready to help the honest man who was trying to help himself. Our sympathy goes out to the wife who has lost a husband she loved and the two little girls and one small boy whom he loved so well, and the people of our country upon whose affections he had so strong a claim, and the neighborhood which has lost the best friend it ever had. But the sorrow expressed is to the writer a personal one. Every dollar that we have and the roof that shelters our family is due to this man-his sympathy, his advice, his money and the personal interest he took in us, make us to feel that no epitaph upon the cold granite stone nor eulogistic obituary could give out the worth of this man. He was never converted to religion but in his dying hour he spoke calmly of his demise and his willingness to go.
He was a successful farmer all his life and by close economy and hard work accumulated quite a fortune, variously estimated at $200,000.00 and $250,000.00. He stood squarely upon honor in all his dealings with his fellow man and was as firm as a rock in his opinion of right. His place will not be filled. But he is gone from us now and will never know how we appreciated him. But memory of him will live as long as time shall last.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Samuel Augustus Lawrence was the first of four children born to Fannie Coats and John Peter Lawrence.
ln his early days Gus received such educational advantages as the pioneer schools of Dallas County afforded. It was John Peter who taught the children. Gus was reared to the habits of thrift and industry on his parents' farm until his marriage to Mary H. Motley on September 4, 1876. Mary was the daughter of Mary Lynn and Tom Zachariah Motley, another Dallas County pioneer family. Mary was born April 20, 1853, in Allen County, Kentucky, and traveled to Dallas in a caravan of 37 wagons, in 1856.
Gus was given a tract of land, and he built their home on Long Creek Road in Sunnyvale. Gus and Mary had two children who survived: Jefferson Zachariah, known as Joe Z. (1880-1948); and Nannie (1882-1915). Mary died July 12, 1885, due to complications from childbirth, and is buried in the Motley Cemetery. Sally Motley, their aunt, took Joe and Nannie home with her. They were raised by Aunt Sally, Uncle Will and Grandma Motley in the home located on what is now Eastfield College. When they went to "town," it was to Dallas, for they lived only 10 miles from the Court House. Here Joe was known as a Motley rather than a Lawrence since he was with the Motley men and looked so much like his Uncle Joe Motley. Gus did not forget the children and would visit them many times.
Gus became the friend of Frank and Jesse James and was visited often by them when they were down this way. Many nights they stayed at the home of John Peter, and he treated them royally. It was Gus who knew all their good qualities. One morning after they had gone, they discovered that Grandma 's horse was missing. When they checked there were several new horses in the corral. She then took his horse to be her own. This was a thoroughbred and was trained to go at top speed when the reins were tightened, to trot along gently when the reins were loosened, and to stop on a dime when the reins were dropped. When this horse was hitched to a buggy or cart, the driver would have to be careful, or he would go over the dashboard. Once Frank gave Gus a horse, called Frank, that could open gates without help from the rider. The Lawrences always kept good horses and were good riders.
Gus married Elda (Eldie) Henry in 1898 and built a larger two-story house with gingerbread trim on Long Creek Road. Three children were born to Gus and Elda: Jessie (1899); Gussie (1900-1973); and Palmer (1906-1954).
Gus is buried in Long Creek Cemetery just a short drive from his home. The January 22, 1909, issue of The Texas Mesquiter states: "He was a successful farmer all of his life, and by close economy and hard work accumulated quite a fortune, variously estimated at $200,000 to $250,000. He stood squarely upon honor in all his dealings with his fellow man and was as firm as a rock in his opinion of right. His place will not be filled. But he is gone from us now and will live as long as time shall last."
By Mary Carol Carrington Hutchinson, great granddaughter of Gus Lawrence, El Paso
Son of John Peter Lawrence and Fannie Coats. Husband of (1) Mary Henry Motley and (2) Elda Brown Henry, father of 6.
The Texas Mesquiter 11 Dec 1908
S. A. LAWRENCE IS DEAD
End of Prominent and Wealthy Citizen Comes Suddenly
S. A. (Guss) Lawrence, a pioneer citizen of this community, not only the wealthiest citizen of this section, but one of the wealthiest of the county, died at 6:00 o'clock Wednesday morning from the effects of chloroform taken the afternoon before, evidently while his mind was temporarily unbalanced.
As soon as it was learned that he had taken the drug, physicians were summoned, all the physicians who happened to be in town at the time, viz Drs. Fender, Hudgins, Bryant and Hardy, responding. They remained with him for some time, two of them, Drs. Bryant and hardy, until he died. He regained consciousness about 10 o'clock p.m. and remained conscious until about thirty minutes before death came.
Deceased, who was the son of J. P. and Mrs. Fannie Lawrence, deceased, was born on the old Lawrence place, east of Mesquite, on Jan. 25, 1851, and remained a citizen of this community all of his life. He was twice married and is survived by a wife and five children, two by his first marriage, J. Z. Lawrence of Reinhardt and Mrs. Bedford Galloway of this place, and by three young children by his last marriage. He is also survived by a brother and sister, S. D. Lawrence of Mesquite and Mrs. R. P. Motley of near Reinhardt.
Funeral services were conducted at the church at Long Creek by Rev. P. C. Scott of Forney, former pastor of the Baptist church here, and interment took place in the Long Creek cemetery.
Mr. Lawrence was a just man and had helped many people in this section and his death was a profound shock to the entire community. The bereaved members of the family have the sympathy of all.
The Texas Mesquiter 22 Jan1909
(A picture labeled "THE LATE S. A. LAWRENCE")
The above is a likeness of S. A. (Guss) Lawrence, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Mesquite, who died at his home east of town on December 9. an account of which appeared in our issue of December 11.
The following article is contributed by a friend of Mr. Lawrence.
Guss Lawrence-An Appreciation
The subject of this sketch was born near where he died, having first seen the light of day January 25, 1851, death coming on December 9, 1908. He was a great and good man, the peer of any that ever lived to help bless the poor. Our hearts are sad for the friend that has gone-the man ever ready to help the honest man who was trying to help himself. Our sympathy goes out to the wife who has lost a husband she loved and the two little girls and one small boy whom he loved so well, and the people of our country upon whose affections he had so strong a claim, and the neighborhood which has lost the best friend it ever had. But the sorrow expressed is to the writer a personal one. Every dollar that we have and the roof that shelters our family is due to this man-his sympathy, his advice, his money and the personal interest he took in us, make us to feel that no epitaph upon the cold granite stone nor eulogistic obituary could give out the worth of this man. He was never converted to religion but in his dying hour he spoke calmly of his demise and his willingness to go.
He was a successful farmer all his life and by close economy and hard work accumulated quite a fortune, variously estimated at $200,000.00 and $250,000.00. He stood squarely upon honor in all his dealings with his fellow man and was as firm as a rock in his opinion of right. His place will not be filled. But he is gone from us now and will never know how we appreciated him. But memory of him will live as long as time shall last.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Samuel Augustus Lawrence was the first of four children born to Fannie Coats and John Peter Lawrence.
ln his early days Gus received such educational advantages as the pioneer schools of Dallas County afforded. It was John Peter who taught the children. Gus was reared to the habits of thrift and industry on his parents' farm until his marriage to Mary H. Motley on September 4, 1876. Mary was the daughter of Mary Lynn and Tom Zachariah Motley, another Dallas County pioneer family. Mary was born April 20, 1853, in Allen County, Kentucky, and traveled to Dallas in a caravan of 37 wagons, in 1856.
Gus was given a tract of land, and he built their home on Long Creek Road in Sunnyvale. Gus and Mary had two children who survived: Jefferson Zachariah, known as Joe Z. (1880-1948); and Nannie (1882-1915). Mary died July 12, 1885, due to complications from childbirth, and is buried in the Motley Cemetery. Sally Motley, their aunt, took Joe and Nannie home with her. They were raised by Aunt Sally, Uncle Will and Grandma Motley in the home located on what is now Eastfield College. When they went to "town," it was to Dallas, for they lived only 10 miles from the Court House. Here Joe was known as a Motley rather than a Lawrence since he was with the Motley men and looked so much like his Uncle Joe Motley. Gus did not forget the children and would visit them many times.
Gus became the friend of Frank and Jesse James and was visited often by them when they were down this way. Many nights they stayed at the home of John Peter, and he treated them royally. It was Gus who knew all their good qualities. One morning after they had gone, they discovered that Grandma 's horse was missing. When they checked there were several new horses in the corral. She then took his horse to be her own. This was a thoroughbred and was trained to go at top speed when the reins were tightened, to trot along gently when the reins were loosened, and to stop on a dime when the reins were dropped. When this horse was hitched to a buggy or cart, the driver would have to be careful, or he would go over the dashboard. Once Frank gave Gus a horse, called Frank, that could open gates without help from the rider. The Lawrences always kept good horses and were good riders.
Gus married Elda (Eldie) Henry in 1898 and built a larger two-story house with gingerbread trim on Long Creek Road. Three children were born to Gus and Elda: Jessie (1899); Gussie (1900-1973); and Palmer (1906-1954).
Gus is buried in Long Creek Cemetery just a short drive from his home. The January 22, 1909, issue of The Texas Mesquiter states: "He was a successful farmer all of his life, and by close economy and hard work accumulated quite a fortune, variously estimated at $200,000 to $250,000. He stood squarely upon honor in all his dealings with his fellow man and was as firm as a rock in his opinion of right. His place will not be filled. But he is gone from us now and will live as long as time shall last."
By Mary Carol Carrington Hutchinson, great granddaughter of Gus Lawrence, El Paso
The Texas Mesquiter 11 Dec 1908
S. A. LAWRENCE IS DEAD
End of Prominent and Wealthy Citizen Comes Suddenly
S. A. (Guss) Lawrence, a pioneer citizen of this community, not only the wealthiest citizen of this section, but one of the wealthiest of the county, died at 6:00 o'clock Wednesday morning from the effects of chloroform taken the afternoon before, evidently while his mind was temporarily unbalanced.
As soon as it was learned that he had taken the drug, physicians were summoned, all the physicians who happened to be in town at the time, viz Drs. Fender, Hudgins, Bryant and Hardy, responding. They remained with him for some time, two of them, Drs. Bryant and hardy, until he died. He regained consciousness about 10 o'clock p.m. and remained conscious until about thirty minutes before death came.
Deceased, who was the son of J. P. and Mrs. Fannie Lawrence, deceased, was born on the old Lawrence place, east of Mesquite, on Jan. 25, 1851, and remained a citizen of this community all of his life. He was twice married and is survived by a wife and five children, two by his first marriage, J. Z. Lawrence of Reinhardt and Mrs. Bedford Galloway of this place, and by three young children by his last marriage. He is also survived by a brother and sister, S. D. Lawrence of Mesquite and Mrs. R. P. Motley of near Reinhardt.
Funeral services were conducted at the church at Long Creek by Rev. P. C. Scott of Forney, former pastor of the Baptist church here, and interment took place in the Long Creek cemetery.
Mr. Lawrence was a just man and had helped many people in this section and his death was a profound shock to the entire community. The bereaved members of the family have the sympathy of all.
The Texas Mesquiter 22 Jan1909
(A picture labeled "THE LATE S. A. LAWRENCE")
The above is a likeness of S. A. (Guss) Lawrence, a prominent and wealthy citizen of Mesquite, who died at his home east of town on December 9. an account of which appeared in our issue of December 11.
The following article is contributed by a friend of Mr. Lawrence.
Guss Lawrence-An Appreciation
The subject of this sketch was born near where he died, having first seen the light of day January 25, 1851, death coming on December 9, 1908. He was a great and good man, the peer of any that ever lived to help bless the poor. Our hearts are sad for the friend that has gone-the man ever ready to help the honest man who was trying to help himself. Our sympathy goes out to the wife who has lost a husband she loved and the two little girls and one small boy whom he loved so well, and the people of our country upon whose affections he had so strong a claim, and the neighborhood which has lost the best friend it ever had. But the sorrow expressed is to the writer a personal one. Every dollar that we have and the roof that shelters our family is due to this man-his sympathy, his advice, his money and the personal interest he took in us, make us to feel that no epitaph upon the cold granite stone nor eulogistic obituary could give out the worth of this man. He was never converted to religion but in his dying hour he spoke calmly of his demise and his willingness to go.
He was a successful farmer all his life and by close economy and hard work accumulated quite a fortune, variously estimated at $200,000.00 and $250,000.00. He stood squarely upon honor in all his dealings with his fellow man and was as firm as a rock in his opinion of right. His place will not be filled. But he is gone from us now and will never know how we appreciated him. But memory of him will live as long as time shall last.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Samuel Augustus Lawrence was the first of four children born to Fannie Coats and John Peter Lawrence.
ln his early days Gus received such educational advantages as the pioneer schools of Dallas County afforded. It was John Peter who taught the children. Gus was reared to the habits of thrift and industry on his parents' farm until his marriage to Mary H. Motley on September 4, 1876. Mary was the daughter of Mary Lynn and Tom Zachariah Motley, another Dallas County pioneer family. Mary was born April 20, 1853, in Allen County, Kentucky, and traveled to Dallas in a caravan of 37 wagons, in 1856.
Gus was given a tract of land, and he built their home on Long Creek Road in Sunnyvale. Gus and Mary had two children who survived: Jefferson Zachariah, known as Joe Z. (1880-1948); and Nannie (1882-1915). Mary died July 12, 1885, due to complications from childbirth, and is buried in the Motley Cemetery. Sally Motley, their aunt, took Joe and Nannie home with her. They were raised by Aunt Sally, Uncle Will and Grandma Motley in the home located on what is now Eastfield College. When they went to "town," it was to Dallas, for they lived only 10 miles from the Court House. Here Joe was known as a Motley rather than a Lawrence since he was with the Motley men and looked so much like his Uncle Joe Motley. Gus did not forget the children and would visit them many times.
Gus became the friend of Frank and Jesse James and was visited often by them when they were down this way. Many nights they stayed at the home of John Peter, and he treated them royally. It was Gus who knew all their good qualities. One morning after they had gone, they discovered that Grandma 's horse was missing. When they checked there were several new horses in the corral. She then took his horse to be her own. This was a thoroughbred and was trained to go at top speed when the reins were tightened, to trot along gently when the reins were loosened, and to stop on a dime when the reins were dropped. When this horse was hitched to a buggy or cart, the driver would have to be careful, or he would go over the dashboard. Once Frank gave Gus a horse, called Frank, that could open gates without help from the rider. The Lawrences always kept good horses and were good riders.
Gus married Elda (Eldie) Henry in 1898 and built a larger two-story house with gingerbread trim on Long Creek Road. Three children were born to Gus and Elda: Jessie (1899); Gussie (1900-1973); and Palmer (1906-1954).
Gus is buried in Long Creek Cemetery just a short drive from his home. The January 22, 1909, issue of The Texas Mesquiter states: "He was a successful farmer all of his life, and by close economy and hard work accumulated quite a fortune, variously estimated at $200,000 to $250,000. He stood squarely upon honor in all his dealings with his fellow man and was as firm as a rock in his opinion of right. His place will not be filled. But he is gone from us now and will live as long as time shall last."
By Mary Carol Carrington Hutchinson, great granddaughter of Gus Lawrence, El Paso
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