LAWRENCE-L Archives

Archiver > LAWRENCE > 1999-03 > 0922326227


From: larry lawrence <>
Subject: Re: [LAWRENCE-L] Lawrence Funeral Home--Canton, NY
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 1999 17:43:47 -0800


At 07:16 PM 3/24/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Found this ad and thought it might interest someone. As far as I know
>right now this family isn't closely related to my Lawrence line, but I
>would like to find out more. Eventually there might be a common ancestor.
>
>Lisa
>
>Lawrence Funeral Home
>21 Park Street, Canton
>
>The Lawrence Funeral Home in Canton is reputed to be the second-oldest
>funeral establishment in New York State. In 1845, Lorenzo Lawrence
>established the family business which has been handed down for several
>generations. The funeral home has been located at 21 Park Street since 1915.
>Lorenzo Lawrence began the business as an undertaker and cabinetmaker, a
>common combination in trade, as undertakers often built the caskets they
>sold. Lawrence also obtained a large Civil War-era wicker basket commonly
>used in those days for carrying away a corpse. The use of such baskets
>spawned the term "basket case" for someone who was incapacitated or
>inoperative. The funeral home still has that basket.
>Millard Dwight Lawrence operated the funeral home from 1890 until his
>death in 1926. His obituary in a local newspaper said he was believed to
>be the first person to have an automobile in St. Lawrence County. In
>addition, he was the first undertaker in the county to stock pre-made
>caskets, and the first to have a device for lowering caskets into the ground.
>Russell Lawrence, Sr., was one of the charter members of the St. Lawrence
>County Funeral Directors Association. He is remembered by many Canton
>residents for his team of sled dogs. Lawrence travelled all over New York
>State with the animals, gave kids rides around town, and participated in
>the annual sled-dog races on the streets in Canton in the 1930's and
>1940's. Roads were closed for the races. Canton schools were often closed
>as many students skipped classes to see the event.
>Russell Lawrence, Jr., is credited as primarily responsible for
>development of the modern Lawrence Ambulance Service. In the mid 1970's,
>he purchased the first true ambulance on the same day the State of New York
>announced new regulations pertaining to ambulance services. in earlier
>days, the Lawrence vehicles were used as a combination hearse and ambulance.
>Russell Lawrence III became St. Lawrence County Coroner in 1981 and
>funeral director in 1982. In addition to becoming the fifth generation of
>Lawrences to operate the family business, he served eight years on the
>Canton town council.
>
>
>==== LAWRENCE Mailing List ====
>Jesse M Lawrence Jr. <> is now the Listowner
>of this list. If I can help in any way, please email me
>directly. Please always enter a subject. Please be helpful
>and respectful to everyone. Please also try to stay on subject.
>Thank you for your cooperation. Happy Hunting
>
>
>Hello Lisa:
I'm also a Lawrence but I do not think it is the same line you are
from,but I did enjoy reading about Russell Lawrence Sr. and the funeral
business and how some things come about. Thank you
Larry Lawrence

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