Lake County Biographies

RICHARD H. LAWRENCE

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
Was born in Caroline County, Virginia, September 10, 1828.  At the age of 
sixteen he entered the office of Richard Hill, Jr., at Richmond, as clerk.  Here 
he remained three years.  The next year was spent in teaching school in King 
George County.  March 24, 1849, he sailed aboard the ship �Mananna� for 
California.  Rounding Cape Horn, he arrived at San Francisco September 24th of 
the above year.  He at once proceeded to the mines on Yuba River, where he 
followed mining two years; after which he went to Solano County, and settled in 
Suisun Valley, where he followed farming one year.  We next find him in Sonoma, 
where he remained until May, 1854, when he came to Lake County, and settled in 
Bachelor Valley.  Here he engaged in stock raising until 1861, when he was 
appointed under sheriff, and removed to Lakeport.  This office he held two 
years.  In 1865 he moved to Mendocino County, and had charge of the toll road 
leading from Lakeport to Cloverdale for about fifteen months.  He then moved 
back to Lake County, and engaged in hotel-keeping at Lower Lake, which he 
continued until 1876.  He then engaged in farming in Big Valley for about two 
years, after which he moved to Lakeport, where he has since resided.  Mr. 
Lawrence has held the office of Justice of the Peace two terms, being elected 
first in 1856 and again in 1864.  In 1878 he was again appointed under sheriff, 
which position he held two years, and in 1871 he held the office of notary 
public.  He married, in August, 1861, Miss Eliza Worsely, a native of Delaware.
 
History of Napa and Lake Counties, California, publ. 1881 � pg. 257-258