Emanuel Lawbaugh

LAWBAUGH

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/26/2010 at 11:09:03

Emanuel Lawbaugh is one of the most highly respected and esteemed citizens of Madrid. He has been an active factor in the growth of the city, having platted an laid out an addition to the tow of Madrid known as Lawbaugh’s Addition. He still owns much valuable realty in Madrid and also has interests in Des Moines. Mr Lawbaugh, moreover, has been mayor of Madrid for six terms-terms which have been replete with growth and accomplishment. He has recently been reelected to the office. Mr Lawbaugh was born at Mount Eaton, Wayne county, Ohio June 14, 1837. His parents were John and Margaret (Shoup) Lawbaugh, the former born in 1799 and the latter April 4, 1804, in Pennsylvania. They died in Geneseo, Illinois, the father July 22, 1872, and the mother November 11, 1886. Their marriage took place in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, January 6, 1823. In their family were the following children: William born October 10, 1823, who died Fevruary 17, 1896, John J whose birth occurred April 25, 1825, and who died May 7, 1888, Lucy A who was born January 12, 1827, and died September 4, 1902, Jacob born October 10, 1828, who passed away on July 3, 1910, Eliza who was borb May 6, 1831, and died December 12, 1886, Georege born March 4, 1833, who is a resident of Salem Oregon, Henry born February 26, 1835, who died February 21, 1904, Emanuel, of this review, Elizabeth born May 9, 1839, of Geneseo, Illinois, Petere born February 18, 1841, who died May 18, 1842 and Josiah R born June 10, 1843, who died January 13, 1912. The seven oldest members of this family were born in Tuscarawas county and the four younger in Wayne county.
Emanuel Lawbaugh removed with his parents to Henry county, Illinois, in 1854, the family settling on a farm. Two brothers had preceded the other members of the family and there they all gave heir attention to agricultural pursuits for some time. Emanuel Lawbaugh then learned the trade of stone mason, which he followed during the summer months. In the meantime he qualified for teaching school and subsequently followed that profession for nine winters in Illinois. He still has the first certificate permitting him to teach school in his possession a manuscript of which but few are extant in these days. His first teacher’s certificate, a first grade one, was issued in 1857 and later he obtained others of like grade. After having married in 1865 he engaged in the lumber business with his brothers, their headquarters being in Geneseo, Illinois and there he was very successful in business for a number of years. Since coming to Madrid in 1889 he has platted and allotted an addition to the town which is known as the Lawbaugh Addition. He still retains a number of lots in this tract. Mr Lawbaugh also has interests in Des Moines and is numbered among the substantial residents of Madrid. For six terms her has been mayor of Madrid ad while occupying the executive chair has given the city a business like and most beneficial administration. He is the present mayor of Madrid, having been elected in 1914 for the seventh time. He acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace and a school director nine years before coming to Iowa.
On April 6, 1865, Mr Lawbaugh, married Miss Elizabeth Lord, who was born in Toronto, Canada, April 11, 1841, I 1843 the family removed to Cleveland, Ohio and there remained until 1856, when they went to Davenport, Iowa. Her father died in that city in 1862. He was James Lord, a native of London, England, a highly educated man who for a umber of years held a position with the British government. Her mother, Belinda (Hurd) Lord, a native of Canada, died in Geneseo, Illinois, in 1864. Mr and Mrs Lord had four children, of whom Mrs Lawbaugh, who is the youngest in the family, is the only one surviving. The others were: Emma who died in Oregon, Fannie who passed away in Newton, Iowa, and Esli, who entered the Union army and has never since been heard of. Mrs Lawbaugh in the acquirement of her education attended the common schools in Cleveland, Ohio and Davenport, Iowa. She bore her husband four children: Charles Sumner, born August 13, 1869, who received a business education and is now residing in Cedar Rapids, Horace Benton, born March 12, 1869, who died in Atkinson, Illinois, August 18, 1881, Mary Margaret, born August 14, 1871, who passed away August 15, 1881, Morris Hale, born June 30, 1874, who resides in Manning, Iowa. Mr and Mrs Lawbaugh have four grandchildren,, a daughter born to their son Charles and a son and two daughters born to Morris H Lawbaugh.
Mr Lawbaugh gives his allegiance to the progressive wing of the republican party. He has always taken a deep interest in public affairs and is well informed upon all questions that affect his community, his county, his state and the nation. It is interesting to note in this connection that he voted for Lincoln both times and that his father and five of his brothers attended the same polling place at Lincoln’s second election a father and six sons voting for Lincoln. The two sons of Mr Lawbaugh are members of Star Lodge, No 115, A F & A M of Madrid, and Mr Lawbaugh and his wife are members of the Baptist church of Geneseo. Illinois. He owns a handsome, modernly equipped home in Madrid and is the proud owner of one of the choicest libraries in the community. Mr and Mrs Lawbaugh attend high in the esteem of the community and enjoy a respect which is well merited by their high qualities of character.

1914 Boone County History Book