William Lawrence (Ohio Democrat)

William Lawrence (September 2, 1814 – September 8, 1895) was a state legislator and one-term member of the United States House of Representatives from the 17th District of Ohio, serving from 1857 to 1859.

William Lawrence
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 17th district
In office
March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859
Preceded byCharles J. Albright
Succeeded byThomas Clarke Theaker
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the Guernsey County district
In office
December 4, 1843 – December 1, 1844
Preceded byWilliam Douglas
Succeeded byWilliam Skinner
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 19th district
In office
January 7, 1856 – March 4, 1857
Preceded byWestern T. Sinclair
Succeeded byM. Morron
In office
January 6, 1868 – January 2, 1870
Preceded byR. Savage
Succeeded byJames O. Amos
In office
January 4, 1886 – January 1, 1888
Preceded byinactive
Succeeded byDavid H. Mortley
Personal details
Born(1814-09-02)September 2, 1814
Old Washington, Ohio
DiedSeptember 8, 1895(1895-09-08) (aged 81)
Old Washington, Ohio
Resting placeWashington Cemetery, Old Washington
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenJames Lawrence
Alma materJefferson College

He also served as President of the board of directors of the Ohio Penitentiary.

Biography

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Lawrence was born in Washington, Guernsey County, Ohio. He graduated from Jefferson College (now Washington & Jefferson College) in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania in 1835.

Early political career

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After farming for a few years, Lawrence was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1843. He was a Presidential elector in 1848 for Secretary of State Lewis Cass, and Congressman William Orlando Butler.[1] He was a delegate to the Ohio State constitutional convention in 1851. From 1856 to 1857, he served in the Ohio Senate.

Congress

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On March 4, 1857, William Lawrence (D) was sworn-in as the Representative from the 17th Congressional District of Ohio to the 35th U.S. Congress. Lawrence served only in this Congress, as he was elected only to one term in office.

Later career

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Upon leaving Congress, Lawrence served again in the Ohio Senate (in 1867, 1885, and 1886).

He also served as president of the board of directors of the Ohio Penitentiary, a prison in downtown Columbus, Ohio.

Death and burial

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William Lawrence died in Old Washington, Ohio on September 8, 1895, and is interred at the Washington Cemetery.

Family

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Lawrence was father of Ohio Attorney General James Lawrence.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Taylor 1899 : 255
  2. ^ Reed, George Irving; Randall, Emilius Oviatt; Greve, Charles Theodore, eds. (1897). Bench and Bar of Ohio: a Compendium of History and Biography. Vol. 2. Chicago: Century Publishing and Engraving Company. p. 247.
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Ohio House of Representatives
Preceded by
William Douglas
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
Guernsey County

1843-1844
Succeeded by
William Skinner
Ohio Senate
Preceded by
Western T. Sinclair
Member of the Ohio Senate
19th district

1856-1857
Succeeded by
M. Morron
Preceded by
R. Savage
Member of the Ohio Senate
19th district

1868-1870
Succeeded by
James O. Amos
Preceded by
inactive
Member of the Ohio Senate
19th district

1886-1888
Succeeded by
David H. Mortley
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 17th congressional district

March 4, 1857 - March 3, 1859
Succeeded by