Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Lawrence, George  1863 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com June 23, 2007, 4:10 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     GEORGE LAWRENCE.  Among the pioneer institutions to which Portland is 
indebted for its commercial development and prosperity, none enjoys a higher 
reputation than the George Lawrence Company, the largest wholesale saddlery 
house on the Pacific coast. Its present executive head, George Lawrence, was 
born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1863 and is one of the six children of George and 
Rosesetta (Sherlock) Lawrence. His father was born May 14, 1832, and on August 
2, 1861, was married on the Emerald isle. He attained the advanced age of 
ninety years and seven months, passing away December 14, 1923, and the 
mother’s death occurred March 2, 1918.
     George Lawrence, Sr., was reared and educated in Ireland and for many 
years was a buyer for a department store in Dublin. In 1870, owing to a change 
of management, he resigned his position and for a few years operated 
independently, supplying merchants with goods in small lots on jobbing terms. 
In 1873 he sailed for America and after a short stay in Philadelphia started 
for the Pacific coast, arriving in Portland in February, 1874. He obtained 
employment with his relative, Samuel F. Sherlock, and soon afterward was made 
manager. Mr. Lawrence acted in that capacity until 1893, when he purchased the 
business and in its control displayed the foresight and judgment of the true 
executive, his efforts being manifestly resultant. After his death his son, 
George Lawrence, Jr., assumed the presidency and under his direction the firm 
continues to prosper.
     In June, 1898, Mr. Lawrence was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. 
Thompson, of Portland. His son, George A., is an important factor in the 
conduct of their business, and the daughter, Ann, is at home.
     The business was founded in 1857 by S. Sherlock & Company and the men at 
the head of the firm were William and Samuel Sherlock. In April, 1893, it was 
purchased by the Lawrence family and at that time was housed in a brick 
building twenty-five by one hundred feet in dimensions and two stories in 
height. Twelve persons were employed. When the business changed hands the 
George Lawrence Company was organized and in 1893 the premises were nearly 
doubled in size. A few years later more room was found necessary, owing to 
increase of the volume of business and after consulting with his sons the 
executive head of the Lawrence Company bought a quarter of a block at First 
and Oak streets and the building now occupied by the firm was then erected. 
This substantial brick structure is one hundred feet square, four stories in 
height, and affords sixty thousand square feet of floor space. It was 
specially designed for the purposes for which it is used and is a model of its 
kind.
     On the lower floor are the offices, sample rooms and shipping department. 
The second story contains a large sample room, a stock room, etc., and the 
third is used by the saddle makers, while the fourth is devoted to the 
manufacture of harness for farm and draft purposes. Here are found more than a 
score of leather sewing machines, riveting machines and other apparatus used 
in a perfectly equipped harness factory. There is a large force of competent 
men, each at his own bench, each attending to his own part of the work, and as 
a whole turning out the very best in harness manufacturing. This is one of the 
big substantial concerns of its kind and there is no “mock” about any of its 
products. They are genuine from first to last. Everything is exactly as 
represented and this, no doubt, is one of the important reasons why the 
slogan, “Once a customer, always a customer,” is conceded to fitly apply to 
the house. The building from bottom to top is noted for its cleanliness.  
Everything about it is always in “apple pie order” and there are no 
accumulations of dust or cobwebs. A machine shop is maintained in a room 
adjoining the saddle department, and even there tidiness and good order rule. 
The workrooms are extremely light and are ventilated with special reference to 
sanitation The employes have quarters which are as pleasant us they can be 
made, and the company’s forty thousand dollar annual payroll doubtless 
justifies the contentment apparent in the institution, The offices on the 
first floor are admirably arranged and give a metropolitan air to the place. 
The firm has an efficient corps of traveling salesmen who cover northern 
California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Resident representatives, 
who handle its goods exclusively, are stationed in Boise, Idaho, Stevensville, 
Montana, and Spokane and Walla Walla, Washington. In addition to their 
activities as wholesale manufacturers of harness and saddlery the members of 
the George Lawrence Company are importers and jobbers of shoe findings and 
shoe store supplies, automotive supplies, saddlery-hardware, leather, 
suitcases, trunks and bags.
     The present officers of the corporation are: George Lawrence, president; 
George A. Lawrence, vice president; and W. C. Lawrence, secretary and 
treasurer.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 393-394

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