Lawrence, Jacob

(from Beers)

Jacob Lawrence (1821–1884) was born near York, Upper Canada. He farmed there, as well as running a lumber business. From 1873 to 1889 he ran a lumber business in Watford, under the name of Jacob Lawrence & Sons. Jacob had married Annie Wilkinson (1830–1900). They were the parents of Henry P., William F., Mary, Maria, Amelia, and Helen.

Henry P. (1849–1902) was born in Toronto. He joined his father’s business and saw it expand to include a sawmill, a planing mill, and a saw, stave and heading mill. The business prospered under Henry.

Henry took an interest in municipal matters. His wife was Mary Ann Kerr (1860–1918), the daughter of Warwick pioneers Henry and Mary (Hume) Kerr. Henry and Mary Ann had three sons, Fred. H., W. Harold (1883–1931), and Ernest W. (1890–1918) Eventually Fred H. took over the lumber business. In World War I Ernest was wounded three times in France and later killed in action. He was awarded the Military Cross.

Henry P. Lawrence was the one Watford resident who was killed in the Wanstead train wreck on December 26, 1902.

William F. (1851–) partnered with his father and brother until 1884. Then he moved to Sarnia and opened a wholesale and retail business of the Watford products. William married Eliza Carroll. They had three sons: Edward, Ralph and Wilbur.

Lawrence family: Henry P. and Mary Ann (Kerr) Lawrence with sons Fred, Harold, and Ernest. Courtesy Watford Historical Society.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Lawrence, Jacob

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