Izard Co., AR - Biographies - William Lawrence *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: The Goodspeed Publishing Co Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** William Lawrence, farmer, Melbourne, Ark. In the early settlement of Izard County, Ark., Mr. Lawrence bore a prominent part in developing and opening the way for civilization and is one of the representative men of the county. He was born in Alabama, in 1823, and is the son of James and Cynthia (Franks) Lawrence, natives of Tennessee. James Lawrence moved to Alabama, in 1822, settling in Marion County, and after remaining there a short time removed to Fayette County, where he remained until 1839. From there he journeyed to Louisiana, entered land and followed farming for about two years, when he moved to Izard County, Ark., and settled in Sylamore, now in Stone County. After a residence there of two years, he moved to the western part of the county, where he improved some government land. Two years later he moved to the eastern part of the county and remained there until a short time previous to his death, when he went to live with his son, William Lawrence, and died there in 1859, at the age of sixty five or seventy years. He had held the office of justice of the peace in the county for four years, and was an excellent citizen. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Tucker, who bore him five children, two sons and three daughters, all living at last accounts. They are named as follows: Martin, Edward, Sarah, Catherine and Mary. His second marriage was to Miss Cynthia Franks, and to them were born nine children, two now living, William and James, who reside in this county. Mrs. Lawrence died in 1865. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and in politics he was a Democrat. William Lawrence was married in his twenty-third year, and commenced work for himself by farming on his own land, which he had purchased in the central portion of the county. He sold this farm in 1850 and entered his present property, which he has improved and which consists of 200 acres. He now has about seventy or seventy-five acres of cleared land, all the result of his own efforts, unassisted by any of his family. In 1862 he joined the Confederate army and served under Gen. Thompson and Capt. C. C. Cook until the close of hostilities, when he returned to his farm. He has been three times married, his first wife being Elizabeth King, whom he led to the altar in 1846, and the fruits of this union were six children, all living: James, G. W., John, Isaac, Thomas and Edward. Mrs. Lawrence died in 1859, a worthy member of the Baptist Church. His second marriage took place in 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Clark, who bore him five children, all living: Henry, Cynthia A., wife of J. W. Freeman; Mary F., at home; Rebecca J., at home, and Walter, also at home. The mother of these children was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in 1879. Mr. Lawrence's third marriage was to Mrs. A. N. Ivins (Bryant), a member of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Baptist Church, belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and in his political views is a stanch Democrat.