In 1853, George W. Lathrop formed a partnership with his half brother, A. Courtright, for the conduct of a general mercantile establishment at Toronto, being thus identified with the business interests of the town for three years. On the expiration of that period they sold out the enterprise and, in association with their father, purchased the water power at Oxford Mills and erected a gristmill. George W. Lathrop was connected with the mill until 1868, at which time the property was sold to Robert McDonald. Subsequently he again entered mercantile circles. establishing a store at Oxford Mills, where he built up an extensive and profitable trade. It was through his influence that the branch line from Davenport was turned from its course, already surveyed through Lost Nation and Smithtown, to Oxford Mills and Oxford Junction. In 1882, he purchased a farm of four hundred acres south of the Mills, where he was extensively engaged in the raising of thoroughbred stock, including cattle, hogs and sheep, until the time of his retirement in December, 1903. His remaining days were spent in well earned ease at Oxford Junction, where he passed away on the 3d of December, 1907. A stanch republican in his political views, he always took a very active interest in the work of his party and was honored by election to the sixteenth and twenty-second general assemblies of Iowa. He also held many local offices within the gift of the people, ever discharging his official duties in a most efficient and highly satisfactory manner. The following is an extract from an obituary appearing in the Oxford Junction Mirror at the time of his demise: "He was a man of unusually generous impulses, always on the outlook for really helpful acts to be rendered his fellowman and among the first to discover and relieve want and grief where possible. He was the founder of the first mercantile establishment, the first gristmill, the importer of some. of the finest breeds of live stock in this part of the country, and the primal cause for the existence of this city. He was an ardent supporter of our public school system and of his chosen political party, a man of the largest circle of acquaintances of any in this section, and a man whose loyalty to his town and state was never doubted." Uniformly loved, respected and honored, his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret and the community was deprived of one of its most influential and prominent citizens.

When a young man of twenty-four years, Hon. George W. Lathrop was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Amelia Noble, a native of New York and a daughter of Rev. Noble. Unto them were born six children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Frank Noble, a resident of Martelle; James Howard, living in Pierre, South Dakota; Nathan Bundy, of this review; and Gladys Marie, the wife of John Stuhr, of Oxford township. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in May, 1901.

Nathan Bundy Lathrop, who has lived in Jones county from his birth to the present time, remained tinder the parental roof until he was married, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist through the assistance which he rendered his father in the work of the home farm. He is now the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of rich and arable land on section 31, Oxford township, annually gathering bounteous harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. The property is lacking in none of the improvements and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century and in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He makes a specialty of propagating seed corn and in addition to his farming interests is also engaged in the raising of stock, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.

On the 31st of December, 1903, Mr. Lathrop was united in marriage to Miss A. Maude Lyons, whose birth occurred in Center Junction, Iowa, on the 31st of January, 1880. Her parents, Robert and Sarah (Barnhill) Lyons, are now residents of Plainview, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop now have a son, Robert 'Wendell, and a daughter, Ruth Mildred. They, lost one child, who died in infancy. Mr. Lathrop gives unfaltering allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. Both he and his wife are well known and highly esteemed young people of the community, having won the kindly regard and friendship of all with whom they have been associated.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 266.

Mr. Lawrence is a son of George C. and Eva A. (Redburn) Lawrence, who were natives of New York and Ohio, respectively. On the evening of the day of his admission to the bar, at Iowa City, Iowa, June to, 1896, he was married to Miss Etta M. Pratt, of that city, a daughter of Warren and Perlina Pratt, and soon thereafter established a home in Anamosa. Four children, all sons, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence: Warren P., now a boy of twelve years; Theodore R., who died in infancy; and Ray and Roy. twins, who were born May 22, 1904.

On July 1, 1896, Mr. Lawrence became the junior member of the law firm of Remley & Ercanbrack, under the firm name of Remley, Ercanbrack & Lawrence. H. M. Remley and T. R. Ercanbrack had been associated together in the practice of law for about twenty-five years prior to the accession of Mr. Lawrence as a member of the firm and had always enjoyed a large and lucra tive practice, and the association of Mr. Lawrence as a member of this old established firm is evidence of the confidence and esteem in which he was held by his associates. The firm continued, however, but a few months, for early in November of 1896, Judge Remley was elevated to the district bench, upon the decease of Judge Wolf. Mr. Ercanbrack and Mr. Lawrence then continued for a short time, and soon thereafter Judge F. 0. Ellison became associated as a member of the firm, under the firm name of Ellison, Ercanbrack & Lawrence, and this firm continued until Mr. Lawrence withdrew, in the spring of 1899, to take charge of the collection department of a large manufacturing concern in Iowa City. He returned to Anamosa the next year, since which time he has been alone in business. In latter years, Mr. Lawrence but seldom appears in the actual trial of causes in court, being more concerned in keeping parties out of court, than in extricating them from difficulties after becoming involved.

For nearly twenty years, the subject of our sketch was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but upon becoming convinced of the merits of the Christian Science movement, has recently associated himself with this denomination. His political affiliation has always been with the republican party. The family occupy a very commodious and substantial residence of pressed brick, with stone trimmings, erected but a few years ago, which is celebrated for its warm-hearted and cordial hospitality. Mr. Lawrence is one of the progressive men of the city, in sympathy with any movement which he believes will be of value to the community and tend toward the betterment of the conditions of mankind.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 438.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 630.

L. C. Lawrence was reared at home, acquiring the practical lessons for life under the wise guidance of his parents and in the public schools, where he was a pupil through the months they were in session. In 1895, he left the parental roof to seek work for himself. He found employment as a farm hand with John Smyth, of Delaware county, and during the four years he spent with him wooed his daughter, who promised to become his wife. In 1899, after his marriage, he bought the tract of land he now occupies. It was formerly known as the William Cline place, embracing three hundred and forty acres of some of the best land in Lovell township, Jones county. Its fertile fields are well cultivated, yielding large harvests. Industrious, progressive and a good manager, Mr. Lawrence has risen in the short period of his residence here to a position of respect among his fellow citizens, who regard his success with good will and no bitterness. Such should be the case, for his fair fortune is the result of his own efforts.

It was in 1899 that Mr. Lawrence married Miss Emeline Smyth and to them were born four children, but none are now living. In his political views, Mr. Lawrence is in sympathy with the principles of the republican party but he has taken no part in local politics. He is a member of the fraternal Order of the Eagles and is active among his brethren of the local lodge. With his wife he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, whose teachings he endeavors to put into daily practice, thus ordering his life by a standard higher than the mere accumulation of a fair fortune and evincing a desire to be known as a man of honor and responsibility.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 240.