"An Illustrated History of Whitman County, state of Washington." San Francisco: W. H. Lever, 1901. p. 314. WILLIAM P. LAWRENCE a successful farmer and esteemed citizen residing six miles northwest from Garfield, was born in Ohio April 1, 1854, his parents being George and Lucretia (Montgomery) Lawrence, and he their second son; the other members of the family were Charles, Jane, Martha, John, Perry and Harry. When nine years of age he accompanied his parents, who moved to Etna, Green, Kosciusko county, Indiana, where their son Perry was born in 1863. The following year the family removed to Selma, McLean county, Illinois, and in 1867 to Granby, Newton county, Missouri, where the last son, Harry, was born. At this place were situated the Granby lead mines, in which the father and Charles worked until 1869. The following year they removed back to Illinois, and there the father died. In 1875 our subject came to Harrisburg, Oregon, in company with J. D. Bishop, to spy out the land, and in the following year the balance of the family joined him. In that same year, 1876, the mother died in the state of Oregon, after which our subject came to Walla Walla, continuing in that city and in Pendleton until 1879. During this time he participated in the Indian war of 1878. Leaving here, he came to Whitman county, landing first in Colfax, whence he made his way to his present place near Steptoe Butte, where he took up a homestead and timber culture claims. Mr. Lawrence is a thrifty, enterprising man, a good agriculturist and a careful, judicious manager. Naturally, then, he has achieved an abundant success as a farmer, long since taking place among the leading ranchers of the section. His place has been improved by the erection of a fine two-story house and good substantial outbuildings, and about the premises, everywhere perceptible, is an air of thrift and comfort. He takes the interest in politics, local and general, that becomes a good citizen, but is not a leader in this direction and is not ambitious for personal preferment. He is active in promoting the cause of education in his neighborhood, and very solicitous for the maintenance of a good school. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, holding the same in the local organization at Upper Dry Creek. The marriage of Mr. Lawrence and Miss Annie, daughter of Fenley and Eliza J. Bishop, was celebrated in December, 1880, in this county. To them have been born the following children: Clara B., Leona L. and Marganna. Mrs. Lawrence's parents are both dead; her father passed away in Ohio, and the mother in Illinois. In addition to his fine estate, Mr. Lawrence is interested in the grain business, and also in mining in British Columbia and Idaho. The remainder of his father's family are all living near Garfield. He has just returned from a visit to Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Nebraska, after an absence of twenty-five years, and he is more thoroughly convinced than ever that there is no place that compares with the justly famous Palouse country. Prosperous, the result of his industry and wisdom, the recipient of the respect and esteem of his fellows, while he enjoys the prominent position in the community that his capabilities and intrinsic worth merit, our subject is a representative and typical citizen of this wealthy country. Transcriber's additional notes: CENSUS 1870, June 28; Newton Co, MO; Newtonia Twp, p 468 George Lawrence, 40, OH, carpenter Lincretia, 38, OH, keeping house Charles C, 17, OH, farm laborer Jane E, 14, OH Martha E, 11, OH John C, 9, OH Perry W, 6, IN George H, 1, MO 1900, June 19; Whitman Co, WA; Garfield Pct, p 193 William P. Lawrence, 46, April 1854, OH, OH, VA, mar 20 yrs, farmer Annie, wife, 40, March 1860, OH, OH, OH Clara B, dau, 17, May 1883, WA, OH, OH, att. school Leonia L, dau, 13, March 1887, WA, OH, OH, att. school Marganana, dau, 8, May ?, WA, OH, OH, att. school 1910, April 29; Whitman Co, WA; Garfield Pct, p 136 William P. Lawrence, 56, OH, OH, VA, mar 1x 30 yrs, farmer, general farm, owns farm free Anna E, wife, 51, WA, VA, PA, mar 1x 30 yrs, 3 children-3 living Leona L, dau, 24, WA, OH, WA, single Margie, dau, 19, WA, OH, WA, single http://genealogy.state.or.us/ Case# A0974 Name Lawrence, W. P. Date 1937 Record Type Estate County Yamhill Source Genealogical ******************* Submitted to the Washington Bios. Project in July 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.