LAWRENCE VILLAGE
This village is situated on Section 27, and was settled about the year 1855.
The depot was built in 1856 and the place grew rapidly for several years and
aspired to someday become a place of not. The railroad company proposed
making this point the end of a division and here erect their shops,
roundhouses, etc. The scheme was frustrated by those owning land adjoining
that of the railroad company. These land-owners not only defeated the company
but themselves by placing the price of their lands beyond the reach of the
purchasers.
The village received its name from Mr. Lawrence Bixby, the first merchant,
who in company with a Mr. Conkling, did a big business for a time until three
other stores were started which materially divided the trade. The first house
in the village was built by Lawrence Bixby and Benjamin Pressy. During the
excitement over the prospects of Lawrence becoming a railroad town business
increased rapidly and carpenters had more than they could do in erecting
private and business houses, but when Harvard was chosen by the railroad
company as a place where they would establish their shops a lull came to
Lawrence. Business was almost entirely suspended. Many buildings were pulled
down and taken to Harvard. The hotel went with the rest, and there has never
since been one in the village. During the days of prosperity and high
anticipation a fine grist-mill was built and did a good business for about
three years when it was burned down and never rebuilt.
Lawrence Academy was one of the earliest and most successful schools of its
kind. It had able instructors, and many afterward prominent men were students
there. It gradually waned and finally ceased to exist, better conditions of
the public schools of the county supplying its place. It was afterward
purchased by the Presbyterians who used it as a house of Worship.
The business of Lawrence in 1880 was represented as follows:
Blacksmith - W. L. Boyd
Creamery - H. Gillis
Wagon manufactory - F. Beidt, E. S. Bowen, H. S. Gould, C. Palmer
Groceries and drugs - S. Clark
Flour-mill - C. Palmer
Physicians - S. Clark, A. Thompson
Apiarist - J. L. Anderson
By the turn of the century, all signs of prosperity were gone even some of
the houses were empty. The depot was still standing in the 1930's but no
agent was in attendance. If one wanted to get on the train in Lawrence, you
put out a flag in front of the depot and the train would stop. The one room
school house was used until the 1950's when consolidation was started. The
building is still standing, being used as a home.
In the 40's Jones Veal Co. was started by David Jones and operated until 1950
when it moved to Hebron, Ill. About this time the Ralph Ruhff's operated a
grocery store and meat cutting and packaging business. In the late 50's they
closed their store due to other interests.
In 1952, two brothers, Perry and Tobert Jones, started the Jones Packing Co.,
which is in operation today (1976). The concern has grown over the years and
is a very modern plant and a prosperous business. This is the only business
in Lawrence other than the tavern. There has been a tavern since the 1930's
the present one owned by Ron Protz.