James Lawrence (Ohio politician)

James Lawrence (January 15, 1851 – July 4, 1914) was a Democratic politician from the state of Ohio. He was Ohio Attorney General 1884–1886.

James Lawrence
17th Ohio Attorney General
In office January 14, 1884 – January 11, 1886
Governor	George Hoadly
Preceded by	David Hollingsworth
Succeeded by	Jacob A. Kohler
Personal details
Born	January 15, 1851 Old Washington, Ohio
Died	July 4, 1914 (aged 63) Brookside, West Virginia
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Jennie Gardner Porter
Children	three
Alma mater	Kenyon College
Occupation	Lawyer, Judge, Law Professor

Biography

James Lawrence was born January 15, 1851 at Old Washington, Guernsey County, Ohio, son of Congressman William Lawrence.[1] He attended public schools and graduated from Kenyon College in 1871.[2] At college he was a member of Theta Delta Chi and Phi Alpha Delta.[3] He then studied law at Cambridge, Ohio under Joseph W. White,[4] and was admitted to the bar in 1874.[5] He moved to Cleveland, Ohio and entered the law office of G. H. Foster, eventually becoming his partner, and remained so until 1893. He then became head of Lawrence and Estep.[5]

In 1883 Lawrence was nominated by the Democratic Party for Attorney General, and defeated Republican Moses B. Earnhart in the general election. In 1885, he ran again and was defeated by Republican Jacob A. Kohler.[6] In 1888 he married Jennie Gardner Porter, and had three children.[5] Their names were Harriet, and twins Keith and Margaret R.[3] In 1893 and 1894 he was Corporate Council of the City of Cleveland.[2][5] From 1896 to 1911, Lawrence was professor of law at Western Reserve University.[3] In 1902 he was elected Common Pleas Judge, and was elected again in 1910.[2] He served until his death July 4, 1914.[7] He died at Brookside, West Virginia while on vacation with his wife.[3]

He was a Freemason.[3]

Notes

1. Reed, p. 247.
2. Powell, p. 233.
3. History of Cleveland, p. 82-83.
4. Kennedy & Day, p. 282-283.
5. Neff, p. 227.
6. Smith, p. 473, 512.
7. Fess, p. 202.

References

• Neff, William B, ed. (1921). Bench and Bar of Northern Ohio History and Biography. Cleveland: The Historical Publishing Company.
• Powell, Thomas Edward, ed. (1913). The Democratic party of the state of Ohio: a comprehensive history. 2. The Ohio Publishing Company.
• Smith, Joseph P, ed. (1898). History of the Republican Party in Ohio. I. Chicago: the Lewis Publishing Company.
• Reed, George Irving; Randall, Emilius Oviatt; Greve, Charles Theodore, eds. (1897). Bench and Bar of Ohio: a Compendium of History and Biography. 2. Chicago: Century Publishing and Engraving Company.
• Fess, Simeon D., ed. (1937). Ohio, A four volume reference library on the History of a Great State. 5, Supplementary Biographical. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company. p. 202. OCLC 418516.
• Kennedy, James Harrison; Day, Wilson M. (1889). The bench and bar of Cleveland. The Cleveland Printing and Publishing Co. pp. 282–283.
• A History of Cleveland and Its Environs, The Heart of New Connecticut. 2, Biography. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company. 1918. p. 82.