Obit: Lawrence, Ross G. (1886 – 1967)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Lawrence

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 28 Sep 1967

Lawrence, Ross G. (2 APR 1886 – 24 SEP 1967)

Ross G. Lawrence, 61, Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), president and director of People's Exchange Bank of Thorp, with which he had been associated for more than 54 years, died in Victory Memorial Hospital at Stanley Sunday night.

Up to last Wednesday, he was at his office in the bank. Not feeling good Thursday and Friday, he entered the hospital at Stanley Saturday and passed away Sunday evening.

Masonic services were conducted at 2 p.m. yesterday, Wednesday, at the Thorp Funeral Home, with burial in the East Thorp Cemetery.

Mr. Lawrence was born at Oshkosh April 2, 1886, and moved to Fairchild, where he attended high school. Later he attended Shattuck Military Academy at Faribault, Minn., and then the Eau Claire Business College.

After two years of employment in Chicago, he went to Owen in 1909. He was assistant cashier of the State Bank of Owen until Dec. 26th, 1912, when he became bookkeeper of the Peoples' State Bank of Thorp, and was soon made cashier in 1913.

Since that time he has served, besides cashier, Executive Vice President and President. At the time of his death he was serving the bank and president and director.

Although banking in a small town had kept Mr. Lawrence very busy, he still found time for civic duties. Her served as President of the Northern Wisconsin Bankers in 1929, a member of the thorp School Board for 16 years, and village trustee for 6 years. He also served on the cemetery board here and was a member of the Clark County Court Commission.

Mr. Lawrence was a 50 year member of the Masonic Order, was a member of the Thorp Lions Club, and Thorp Volunteer Fire Department.

In June 1960 he was initiated in the "Fifty Year Club" at Milwaukee by the Wisconsin Bankers Association. On that occasion a banquet was held in his honor by local directors and employees, presenting him with a silver tray engraved with signatures of the Board of Directors and personnel of the bank.

He is survived by his wife, Verna, and two sons, Roger, Waukesha, and Dean, Watertown.