From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, not currently in print.
Samuel Augustus Lawrence was the first of four children born to Fannie Coats and John Peter Lawrence.
John Peter came to Dallas County in 1845 from Unionville, Maryland, having spent the prior three years teaching school in Nacogdoches, then the Republic of Texas. It has been said he arrived with a horse, bridle, and one dollar and a half as his entire wealth. He soon secured a headright of 640 acres. John Peter married Fannie, the daughter of Samuel Coats – another Dallas County Pioneer, on June 23, 1848. They lived in a house partly built of logs on what is now Highway 80 and 352 in Sunnyvale. It was in this house that all four children were born: Samuel Augustus (1851-1908); Stephen Decatur (1853-1934); Emma (1856-1945); and Lavenia (1861-1890).
ln his early days Gus received such educational advantages as the pioneer schools of Dallas County afforded. It was John Peter who taught the children. Gus was reared to the habits of thrift and industry on his parents’ farm until his marriage to Mary H. Motley on September 4, 1876. Mary was the daughter of Mary Lynn and Tom Zachariah Motley, another Dallas County pioneer family. Mary was born April 20, 1853, in Allen County, Kentucky, and traveled to Dallas in a caravan of 37 wagons, in 1856.
Gus was given a tract of land and he built their home on Long Creek Road in Sunnyvale. Gus and Mary had two children who survived: Jefferson Zachariah, known as Joe Z. (1880-1948); and Nannie (1882-1915). Mary died July 12, 1885, due to complications from childbirth, and is buried in the Motley Cemetery. Sally Motley, their aunt, took Joe and Nannie home with her. They were raised by Aunt Sally, Uncle Will and Grandma Motley in the home located on what is now Eastfield College. When they went to “town,” it was to Dallas, for they lived only 10 miles from the Court House. Here Joe was known as a Motley rather than a Lawrence since he was with the Motley men and looked so much like his Uncle Joe Motley. Gus did not forget the children and would visit them many times.
Gus became the friend of Frank and Jesse James and was visited often by them when they were down this way. Many nights they stayed at the home of John Peter and he treated them royally. It was Gus who knew all their good qualities. One morning after they had gone, they discovered that Grandma ‘s horse was missing. When they checked there were several new horses in the corral. She then took his horse to be her own. This was a thoroughbred and was trained to go at top speed when the reins were tightened, to trot along gently when the reins were loosened, and to stop on a dime when the reins were dropped. When this horse was hitched to a buggy or cart, the driver would have to be careful or he would go over the dashboard. Once Frank gave Gus a horse, called Frank, that could open gates without help from the rider. The Lawrences always kept good horses and were good riders.
Gus married Elda (Eldie) Henry in 1898 and built a larger two story house with gingerbread trim on Long Creek Road. Three children were born to Gus and Elda: Jessie (1899); Gussie (1900-1973); and Palmer (1906-1954).
Gus is buried in Long Creek Cemetery just a short drive from his home. The January 22, 1909, issue of The Texas Mesquiter states: “He was a successful farmer all of his life, and by close economy and hard work accumulated quite a fortune, variously estimated at $200,000 to $250,000. He stood squarely upon honor in all his dealings with his fellow man and was as firm as a rock in his opinion of right. His place will not be filled. But he is gone from us now and will live as long as time shall last.”
By Mary Carol Carrington Hutchinson, great grand-daughter of Gus Lawrence, El Paso
