Addison

LAWRENCE, William Abbott

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 533-534

William Abbott LAWRENCE, the most extensive dealer in horses in Vermont, was 
born 21 September 1856 in Monkton [Addison County], Vermont, where his 
paternal grandfather, Josiah LAWRENCE, was engaged in tilling the soil for 
many years, having come to this state from Connecticut. Orrin LAWRENCE, the 
father of our subject, was born 04 December 1798, in Monkton, and he also 
followed agricultural pursuits as a life occupation, his labors being ended 
in death 21 November 1880. His [Orrin LAWRENCE's] wife, who was in her 
maidenhood Lucy BLAZO, represented one of the oldest families in the East, 
and her birth occurred in Starksboro [Addison County], Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. 
[Orrin] LAWRENCE became the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to 
years of maturity: (1) Milo C., now a resident of Hinesburg [Chittenden 
County], Vermont; (2) Lucy, who became the wife of Samuel D. O'BRIEN, of 
Lincoln [Addison County], Vermont; (3) Myron P., of Leadville [Lake County], 
Colorado, where he is engaged in mining; (4) Ruby, deceased; (5) Sylvia, 
the wife of S. C. POOR, of Stowe [Lamoille County], Vermont; and (6) William 
A., of this review. Mrs. LAWRENCE [formerly Lucy BLAZO] passed away 02 June 
1884, at the age of seventy-seven years, and for over fifty years she was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. For fifty-three years she and her 
husband traveled the journey of life together, and they lived to celebrate 
their golden wedding.

William A. LAWRENCE was reared in Monkton, receiving his elementary education 
in its schools, and later became a student in the high school of Vergennes 
[Addison County], Vermont. After completing his education he turned his 
attention to agricultural pursuits, continuing on the old homestead farm 
until 1881, when he came to Bristol [Addison County] and began speculating 
in cattle, horses, and farm products, in which he was engaged until 1884. In 
that year he embarked in the carriage business, which he continued for the 
following fifteen years, and during that time he also began dealing in horses 
and cattle. Disposing of his carriage business in 1899, he has since given 
almost his entire attention to his stock business, buying horses in carload 
lots in Iowa and Missouri, and he usually keeps about seventy-five. His 
business now extends over this entire state and New York, and he is known as 
one of the most extensive dealers in horses in Vermont. His pleasant 
residence on North Street, in Bristol, was erected in 1897, and he has also 
erected several other buildings in Bristol, having dealt quite extensively in 
real estate in this village.

On 22 March 1876 Mr. [William A.] LAWRENCE was united in marriage to Lockie 
PARTCH, who was born in Hinesburg [Chittenden County], Vermont, being a 
daughter of Nelson W. and Lucy (BARKER) PARTCH, the former of whom was a 
lifelong farmer and his [Nelson W. PARTCH's] death occurred at the age of 
sixty-five years, while the mother's [Lucy (BARKER) PARTCH's] death occurred 
at the age of sixty-three years. They [Nelson W. and Lucy (BARKER) PARTCH] 
became the parents of six children, four of whom are now living: Ella, the 
wife of J. O. BOTTUM, of New Haven [Addison County], Vermont; John W., who 
makes his home in Canada; Orson, of Ticonderoga [Essex County], New York; 
and Carrie, the wife of W. J. NASH, of New Haven [Addison County, Vermont]. 
Mrs. Lawrence, the eldest of these children, was reared and received her 
education in Hinesburg, Vermont, and for six years followed the profession of 
teaching. She [Lockie (PARTCH) LAWRENCE] died on 11 December 1889, at the 
age of forty-five years. She was a lady of many noble characteristics, and 
was loved and honored by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance.

For his second wife, Mr. [William A.] LAWRENCE chose Minnie MORRISON [who at 
that time was the widowed Mrs. Minnie PEET], who was born in Starksboro 
[Addison County], Vermont, being a daughter of Page and Mary (ORVIS) 
MORRISON, and a granddaughter of Thomas MORRISON, who came from Connecticut 
to this state in early pioneer times. Page MORRISON was a mechanic, and 
owned and operated a rake and butter tub factory for many years. He [Page 
MORRISON] died when seventy-two years of age, and his wife [Mary (ORVIS) 
MORRISON] died at the age of fifty-two years; both were born in February 
1811. She was of Welsh descent. Mrs. [William A.] LAWRENCE, their only 
child, has been twice married, her first husband being Anson W. PEET, who was 
engaged in the lumber business at Huntington [Chittenden County, Vermont], 
and whose death occurred in his native town, Shelburne [Chittenden County], 
Vermont, at the age of thirty-nine years. One son, Morrison [PEET], was born 
of this union, but he died when but five years of age. Her second marriage 
occurred on 27 March 1901, when she [then Mrs. Minnie PEET] became the wife 
of Mr. [William A.] LAWRENCE.

Mr. [William A.] LAWRENCE gives his political support to the Republican party, 
and for fourteen years has served as the deputy sheriff of Addison County; 
was for a time a member of the town committee; was president of Greenwood 
Cemetery Association, of Bristol; and in 1900 represented his town in the 
legislature. He is a member of the Addison County Agricultural Society, of 
which he is now president; for three yeas has been a member of the board of 
directors of the National Bank of Middlebury; and for two years was one of 
the directors and for a similar period vice president of the Vermont Mutual 
Fire Insurance Company; prominently connected with the Masonic order, and now 
a member of Mount Sinai Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Montpelier, which he 
represented in the grand conclave at Boston; and Bristol Lodge No 36, 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly