MAGLDLawrence

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DANIEL WARREN LAWRENCE 1830-1921

[DanielLawrence1921.jpg

Senior Grand Warden, 1877

MEMORIAL

FROM PROCEEDINGS, 1921

From Proceedings, Page 1921-177:

"The longer on this earth we dwell
And weigh the varied characters of men,
The more we feel the stern, high-featured beauty
Of plain devotedness to duty."

R. W. Bro. Daniel W. Lawrence passed from this life at his home at 31 Salem Street, Medford, Massachusetts, on Monday, May 9, 1921, at the age of ninety years and seven months.

R. W. Brother Lawrence was born on Thacher Street, in the North End of Boston, on October 8, 1830. R. W. Brother Lawrence traced his descent fro, Sir Robert Lawrence of Ashton, England, who was knighted about 1190. His first American ancestor was one John Lawrence, who came from St. Albans, England, and settled in Watertown in 1635. R. W. Brother Lawrence and his brother, Most Worshipful Samuel Crocker Lawrence, were children of Daniel and Elizabeth (Crocker) Lawrence. Soon after the birth of R.W. Brother Lawrence, his family moved to Medford where he was educated. in the public schools, and after graduation from the Medford High School he pursued his studies for several terms at Lawrence Academy, Groton.

In 1849, when only nineteen years of age, his love of adventure caused him to seek for gold in California in the newly discovered. gold fields of that State. He was one of the early miners on what was known as Murphy's Flat. Finding the mining life uncongenial, and the returns from his labors unsatisfactory, he came back to Medford in the following year.

In February, 1851, he went into business with his father, and in 1861 retired with a competency, largely increased in after years by judicious investments. On October 18, 1851, he married Mary Ellen Wiley of South Reading (now Wakefield). Three sons were born to them, George W., now living at Wellfleet, Mass., Rosewell B., who lives at the family home at 31 Salem Street, Medford, and Samuel W., who died a number of years ago. R. W. Brother and Mrs. Lawrence celebrated their golden wedding anniversary October 18, 1901, and the sixtieth anniversary on October 18, 1911. Mrs. Lawrence died May 24, 1912. Since that time R.W. Brother Lawrence has continued to live at the family home with his son Rosewell, having a housekeeper and much of the time a nurse, owing to the infirmities of age.

In the Civil War he served as a private in the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment in the Army of the Potomac. After his release from active service in the Union Army, he rendered patriotic and valuable aid in raising the quota of Medford. After the war he served for many years as an officer in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. For many years he was a member of the Medford Fire Department, and for a long period of time was foreman of the Hook and Ladder Company. He was interested and active in everything that concerned the welfare of his home town. He enjoyed to a remarkable degree the unqualified. confidence and love of his fellow citizens in all walks of life. He was a member of many town committees and a member of the Board of Commissioners of Sinking Funds from 1878 to 1907. He was one of the founders of the Medford Savings Bank and served continuously as secretary, treasurer, trustee and president for thirty years, from 1869 to 1899. This bank has long held a high position among the savings banks of the Commonwealth.

R.W. Brother Lawrence was a Democrat in politics, but although Medford was a strong Republican town it sent him as Representative to the Legislature in 1875, 1876, and 1880.

He was much interested, in music and was a regular subscriber and attendant at the concerts of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He was an ardent lover of baseball and retained his interest down to the very last years of his life, and was a constant attendant at the league games played in this city.

R.W. Brother Lawrence's Masonic record is a long and most useful one, and the record of the many offices which he held gives but little idea of the wide influence of his life and service as a Mason. He was made a Mason in Joseph Warren Lodge, Boston, November 24, 1858. He became Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1820 and 1871, and trustee of its permanent fund from 1872 to 1912. He was Excellent High Priest of Mystic Royal Arch Chapter of Medford in 1863 and 1864 and Grand King of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts in 1877. He was District Deputy Grand Master for the First Masonic District in 1872 and was Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1877. He became an Honorary Member of the Supreme Council 33° Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite on November 21, 1862, was crowned an Active Member of the Supreme Council on September 21, 1898, and was elected an Emeritus Active Member of the Supreme Council on October 3, 1912.

His modesty, sincerity, quick and ready sympathy, generous and kindly impulses won him the confidence and love of aII his brethren. IIe once said to a friend that he had in early life met with a passage in a story which had made a deep impression upon his mind, and that although he felt that he had not lived up to its injunctions, he hoped it had not been without effect upon his character and conduct. He gave a copy of the words to his friend. They were as follows:

"I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to a human being, or any word that I can speak for the good of others, let me do it now; let me not neglect nor defer it, for I shall not pass this way again."

His own life was a fine and true living expression of these words and of the noblest ancl highest ideals of Masonic life and character.

"We simply loved him without knowing
the strength and goodness he was showing."

In accordance with his expressed wish, the funeral services were of a simple nature and were held. at his late residence in Medford. Rev. Hendrik Vossema, Pastor of the Universalist Church in Medford, read. the Scriptures, and. Rev. Edward M. Barney, formerly pastor of the same church, where R.W. Brother Lawrence had attended services, offered prayer. There was no eulogy, music, or pallbearers.

A large number of the officers and permanent members of the Grand Lodge, of Joseph Warren Lodge, of the Supreme Council 33°, and of the various other Masonic organizations of which our late Brother was a member were in attendance at the funeral. There were also delegations from the City Government, Medford Savings Bank, the Universalist Church, Lawrence Light Guard, Grand Army, and other organizations with which he had been associated. The flags on the City HaIl and other public buildings were at half mast. The remains were taken to Mt. Auburn Cemetery for burial beside his wife, father, and mother.

By the terms of his will, R. W. Brother Lawrence expressed in no uncertain way his love and devotion to the Masonic Fraternity, as well as to the City of Medford. He gave to the City of Medford three bequests, $30,000, the income to be paid to poor residents born in Medford; $25,000, the income to be paid to the School Committee, to assist in providing lunch at the High School "in token of my appreciation of the value of a high school education and in remembrance of my attendance at the Medford High School"; and 200 shares Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad. Company to establish the "Lawrence Musical Fund" for "instrumental music in the open air and within one-half mile of Medford Square." IIe also left the sum of $100,000 to a hospital corporation in Medford to be formed within two years after his decease, to be used in purchasing land and constructing a hospital, and he also further provided a fund of $100,000, the income of which was to be used for the support of the hospital. A legacy of $20,000 was given to the Medford Home for Aged Men and Women.

The Masonic bequests contained in the will were as follows: $25,000 to the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, the income to be used for the Masonic Home in Charlton; $20,000 and 10 shares of the Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad Company to the permanent fund of Joseph Warren Lodge of Boston, o{ which he was a Past Master; $500 each to Mt. Hermon Lodge, A.F. & A.M., Mystic Royal Arch Chapter, and- Medford Council of Royal and Select Masters. He also gave to the Harmony Lodge of Odd Fellows, and Post 66, G.A.R., the sum of $500 each.

We shall miss his genial presence and fraternal greeting, but the radiance of his life will long continue to brighten and illumine the pathway of many another. The world is richer and better and happier because he lived in it.

"Good-bye, till morning come again,
The shade of death brings thought of pain,
But could we know how short the night
That falls and hides them from our sight,
Our hearts would sing the glad refrain,
Good-bye, till morning come again."

Edwin B. Holmes,
Melvin M. Johnson,
Leon M. Abbott,
Committee.

FROM COUNCIL OF DELIBERATION, 1921

From Proceedings of the Massachusetts Council of Deliberation AASR NMJ 1921, Page 37:

Ill. Daniel W. Lawrence died at his home in Medford May 9, 1921, at the ripe old age of ninety years and seven months. At the time of his death he was the senior member of the Supreme Council, having received the honorary thirty-third degree November 21, 1862.

Brother Lawrence was born on Thacher Street, Boston, a street running from Prince Street to North Washington Street, in the north end of Boston, on October 8, 1830. At that time the north end of Boston was a far different place from what it is now and was the residence of many of our best old Boston families.

Brother Lawrence traced his descent from Sir Robert Lawrence of Ashton, England, who was knighted about 1190. His first American ancestor was one John Lawrence, who came from St. Albans, England, and settled in Watertown in 1635.

Daniel W. Lawrence and his brother Samuel Crocker Lawrence were the children of Daniel and Elizabeth (Crocker) Lawrence. Within a year of the birth of Daniel W. Lawrence his father moved to Medford, where he carried on a distillery. The rum there produced was of the highest quality and the business soon became extensive, famous, and profitable. Ninety years ago the distilling of liquor was considered as honorable as the manufacture of any other food product. Our more robust-thinking ancestors saw no reason why those who knew how to use alcoholic drinks should be deprived of them for the benefit of the weaklings who only abuse them.

Brother Lawrence was educated in the public schools of Medford and, after graduation from the high school, at Lawrence Academy, Groton. He regretted in later life that he did not take a college course, as he might have done, but adventure called and in 1849, when only nineteen years of age, he joined the throng of seekers for gold in the newly discovered fields of California. Like many another, however, he found the life less congenial and the returns less satisfactory than he expected, and came back the next year.

In February, 1851, he went into business with his father. The business was so successful that after only ten years of participation in it he retired with a competence. This fortune, then deemed sufficient for his needs, was largely increased in later years by judicious investments.

Brother Lawrence married, October 18, 1851, Mary Ellen Wiley, of South Reading (now Wakefield). There were born to them, George W., now of Wcllfleet, Rosewell B., who lived with his father until his death, and Samuel W., who died some years ago. Mrs. Lawrence died May 24, 1912.

Brother Lawrence was always active in public life and held the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens to a remarkable degree. Before Medford became a city he held many town offices, from a place on the Auditing Committee to chairman of the Board of Selectmen. He was always in demand as a member of town committees and held many important posts of that nature, lie was a member of the Board of Commissioners of Sinking Funds from 1878 to 1907 continuously. He was one of the founders of the Medford Savings Bank and served it continuously as secretary, treasurer, trustee, and president for thirty years, from 1869 to 1899. It was largely owing to his careful administration that the bank took Unenviable place it holds among the savings banks of the State.With characteristic public spirit he served many years as a member of the Medford Fire Department and was for several years foreman of the Hook and Ladder Company. The Civil War found him true to his patriotic and unselfish principles. He hail a short term of service as a private in the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment, but throughout the war rendered a far larger service than he could have given through the army in raising troops and doing the valuable war work possible to a man of his ability and disposition. He was for many years an officer of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia.

Brother Lawrence was always a Democrat in politics, and Medford was a strongly Republican town, but he was too big a man and too good a citizen to go unrecognized by his townsmen, Medford sent him as her Representative to the legislature in 1875, 1876, and 1880.

Such, in brief, was the valuable and honored life of our beloved brother,— a good citizen, a leader in the business life of his community, best of all, a man "without fear and without reproach."

His Masonic record is a long and honorable one, distinguished by the same high qualities he showed in other relations.

He was made a Mason in Joseph Warren Lodge, Boston, November 24, 1858. He was Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1870 and 1871 and Trustee of its Permanent Fund from 1872 to 1912. He was Most Excellent High Priest of Mystic Royal Arch Chapter of Medford in 1863 and 1864; Grand King of the Massachusetts Grand Royal Arch Chapter in 1868: Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1877, District Deputy Grand Master for the First Masonic District in 1872: he was created Sovereign Grand Inspector-General and an honorary member of the Supreme Council, thirty-third degree, A.A.S. Rite, November 21, 1862, and was crowned an active member of the Supreme Council September 21, 1898, and elected to emeritus membership October 3, 1912.

After all, it is the man we mourn today, our friend and associate, dear to the hearts of many of us, remembered for countless acts of sympathy and kindness, rather than the public man or the Masonic officer.

All who enjoyed the acquaintance of Brother Lawrence will bear cordial testimony to his fine personal traits, to the unaffected courtesy of his manners, his ready helpfulness and his kindness of heart. Me once said to a friend that he had in early life met with a passage in a story which had made a deep impression upon his mind, and that although he felt that he had not lived up to its injunctions, he hoped it had not been without effect upon his character and conduct. He gave a copy of the words to his friend. They are as follows:

“I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to a human being, or any word that I can speak, let me do it now; let me not neglect nor defer it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

I think we shall hardly be inclined to accept. Brother Lawrence’s modest estimate of his success in living up to his ideals. He did so live up to them that his life was an inspiration and his memory is a precious heritage.In accordance with an expressed wish of Brother Lawrence, the funeral services were of a simple nature and were held at his late residence.

Rev. Hendrik Vossema, pastor of the Universalist Church, read the Scriptures, and Rev. Edward M. Barney, former pastor of the same church where Brother Lawrence had attended services, offered prayer. There was no eulogy, music, or pall bearers.

Large delegations of Masons from the many Masonic bodies attended, together with delegations from the city government, Savings Bank, Universalist Church, Lawrence Light Guard, Grand Army, and other organizations with which he had been identified.

Among those present were I11. Bro. Leon M. Abbott, 33°, Lieutenant Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, who was especially asked by the Sovereign Grand Commander, whose condition of health forbade his personal presence, to represent him; Ill. Robert A. Shirrefs, 33°, Grand Secretary General; Illustrious Brothers Currier and Africa; active members of the Supreme Council from New Hampshire, and all the active members of the Supreme Council from Massachusetts.The remains were taken to Mt. Auburn Cemetery for burial beside his wife, father, and mother.

Frederick W. Hamilton, 33°,
Leon M. Abbott, 33°,
Arthur G. Pollard, 33°,
Melvin M. Johnson, 33°,
Committee.


Distinguished Brothers