BioA: Lawrence, Ross (50th in Thorp - 1962)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Lawrence

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 01/03/1963

Lawrence, Ross (50th in Thorp - 26 DEC 1962)

To celebrate his 50th anniversary in Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), Ross Lawrence, 76, President of Peoples Exchange Bank, gave a party at Roberts Club near Jim Falls for about 20 persons, which included directors of the bank and close friends.

On honoring “the oldest businessman on the street and the oldest continuous business” Wednesday evening, Dec 26th, the group enjoyed refreshments, a banquet and played cards.

Mr. Lawrence began his banking career in Thorp on Dec. 26th, 1912 and was soon made cashier in 1913. Since that time he has served as cashier, Executive Vice President and President.

He stated to the Thorp Courier that he is now with his fourth board of directors of the bank. “All of the first two boards have passed away,” Mr. Lawrence said, “an only one is left from the third board, while two have passed away out of the present board.”

When asked by the editor what outstanding experience he came across during his banking career here, he stated: “there were many and that which comes to mind now is the bank robbery and a woman who wanted to shoot me because we could not make a loan on a horse and wagon.”

Although banking in a small town has kept Mr. Lawrence very busy, he still found time for civic duties. He served as president of the Norhtern Wis. Bankers in 1929, a member of the Thorp School Board for 16 years and village trustee for 6 years. Presently her serves on the cemetery board here and is a member of the Clark County Court Commission.

Before coming to Thorp, Ross started his banking career at Owen in 1909 and is June 1960 was initiated in the “Fifty Year Club” at Milwaukee by the Wis. 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.