Senator Joseph S. Lawrence View All Years

Senator Hunter, from the Special Committee appointed to draft suitable resolutions commemorative of the life of the Hon. Joseph S. Lawrence, submitted the following report and moved its adoption:

Mr. President—Your committee appointed to draft resolutions upon the life and services of the Honorable Joseph S. Lawrence, late of Sioux City, Iowa, beg leave to submit, herewith, the following report:

Joseph S. Lawrence was born in Brooklyn, New York, October 12, 1853 and was a son of the late William Spencer Lawrence, born in Providence, Rhode Island, 1824 and Mary Jane Lawrence, Nee Mangam, born in Hyde Park, New York, 1825.

After the completion of an academic course of study in his native city he entered Madison University at Hamilton, New York, from which institution he was graduated in 1875. Immediately following his graduation he took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of Henry L. Clinton of New York and later pursued a course in the New York Law University.

He was admitted to the bar in 1877 and began practice in Mohawk, Herkimer County, New York. He removed to Sioux City, Iowa in 1883, where he continued in the practice of law until the time of his death.

In 1875 he was united in marriage with Miss Dorothy Imogene Treadway in Herkimer County, New York. He is survived by her and their two children, Mrs. George W. Avery and William Marshall Lawrence.

In 1892 he became interested in street railway properties in Sioux City and during the years to 1899 affected the consolidation of all the street railway lines of the city under the present Sioux City Traction Company.

This was one of the most important events in the finances of Sioux City and perhaps the greatest accomplishment of his busy career. He was president of the new company and after retiring from the active management, served as general counsel for the company until his death.

For many years he was a prominent figure in Iowa politics.

In 1887 he was elected to the State Senate from Woodbury County and served with distinction in this body during the Twenty-second and Twenty-third General Assemblies.

He was permanent chairman of the Republican State Convention of 1893.

He was always a staunch republican but liberal and broadminded in dealing with the advocates of other policies. He cared but little for office but was always active and intensely interested in the growth and welfare of our state and nation.

He was ever wide awake to the needs of the time and faithful in all trusts placed in his hands, never swerving from the path of duty and rights as he saw it. He rendered his state a faithful service and won for himself credit and honor.

As a lawyer he was learned and able, gifted with good judgment and unusual eloquence and ever loyal to his client.

He was possessed of a large knowledge of men and was a man of large affairs and of wide business experiences.

He was a voracious reader and his collection of books at Elmwood, his suburban home, is one of the largest private libraries in out state.

He died at Sioux Citl, Iowa, January 8, 1909.

Whereas, Honorable Joseph S. Lawrence, a member of this body in the Twenty-second and Twenty-third General Assemblies, departed this life in his home in Sioux City, Iowa, on the 8th day of January, 1909.

Therefore be it Resolved, That the Senate of the State of Iowa has heard with great sorrow and regret of his death and it recognizes that in his departure the State of Iowa has lost one of her honored and useful citizens, who rendered great and lasting service to his state. In his service as a member of this body he was a valued legislator, counselor and servant, distinguished by his ability and eloquence and his integrity in public duty.

Resolved That the Senate of the State of Iowa joins with his neighbors and friends in sorrow and regret and hereby tenders to his family its sincere sympathy in this time of great bereavement.

Be it Further Resolved, That these resolutions he printed in the Journal of the Senate and that an engrossed copy authenticated by the President and Secretary to be sent to the widow and family of the deceased.

ROBERT HUNTER,

C. C. DOWELL,

J. U. SAMMIS,

Committee.