Lawrence C. Baxter (1888 - 1934)

Born 28 Jun 1888 in Indiana

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Frances (Wood) Overpeck — married 24 Feb 1910 in Parke Co, Indiana

Descendants

Died 2 Feb 1934 at age 45 in Indiana

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Biography

Obituary, The Rockville Tribune, Rockville, Indiana, Wednesday, February 7, 1934

The whole countryside was shocked February 2nd when the sad news went over the country that Lawrence Baxter had suddenly passed to the great beyond.

Lawrence was born in Parke county near his grandfather Adams old homestead June 28, 1888 and after a worthy life of 45 years, 7 months and 1/2 days passed out of earth's shadows into eternal day on the eve of Feb. 2, 1934. His parents, Riley Francis, who died Jan. 7, 1926 and Hattie (Adams) Baxter were worthy descendants of two of the best known early citizens of southern Parke county. His great grandparents, Elliott and Merlab (Hawkins) Adams on his maternal side came from Harrodsburg, Kentucky to Parke county in 1822. His grandparents, Curtis and Frances (Miller) Baxter on his paternal side were also Kentuckians coming as very early pioneers to Parke county and from these ancestors he inherited many sterling virtues. In the common schools of Parke county he received the training which fitted him to carry on through the years of his usefulness.

He was united in marriage with Anna Frances Wood, only child of William and Bamma (Hartman) Wood on Feb. 24, 1910. This union was blessed with one daughter, Edna, wife of Deward Nevins, and three sons, Ralph, who is married and lives in North Terre Haute, and William and Donald at home. Besides rearing his own children, he and his dear good wife took into their home a baby boy, Ivan Paul, the son of Clee and Elna (Marlar) Overpeck, only two weeks old after death had claimed the babe's mother. With undaunted spirit they took up the burden of love for the motherless babe and with infinite care and loving devotion nurtured him with unatinted love and care as the years sped by from baby-hood until the boy is now ten years old and he loves and respects them as their own children do. This boy will rise up and call him "blessed."

In business and social enterprises he was always honest and sincere. He was a dilligent and conscientious worker in any undertaking and was always ready to help his friends and neighbors. He followed the occupation of farming or mining and at the time of his departure was employed at the Saxon mine near North Terre Haute. He has spent all of his life in the vicinity of the Forks of the Creek or New Discovery neighborhood where he moved in March, 1918. He never affiliated with any church, but believed in a Supreme Beeing, who watches over the destinies of our lives. He was a member of the Bridgeton Lodge No. 169, F. & A. M. and by his untimely death the Order has lost one of its efficient members. He was always glad to see all of his many, many friends.

He leaves to mourn their loss his wife, Frankie; one daughter, Edna; three sons, Ralph, William and Donald and Ivan Overpeck whom he loved as a son; his mother, Hattie Baxter of Jessup; one brother, Jim of Jessup and two sisters, Beulah Johnson of Rosedale and Mary Schular of Rosedale, R. R. 2 and a host of relatives and friends.

There was a large number of beautiful floral offerings. A song and prayer service was held at the house conducted by Rev. Ephriam Garrigus.

Pall bearers were his brother Masons, Charles Russell Sr, Waldo Nevins, David Russell, Raymond Kerr, Claude Crooks and Charles Russell Jr.

A very impressive funeral discourse was delivered by Rev. Ephriam Garrigus of Rosedale at Friendly Grove church Monday forenoon at 11 o'clock. A quartet sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere", "God Will Take Care of You" and "There Will be No Disappointment in Heaven."

The services were concluded at the grave in the Adams cemetery near the church where the Masonic burial ritualistic service was conducted with Howard Dowen serving as worshipful master. Then all that was mortal of our dear friend was lowered in the grave to await the Resurrection morn. His funeral was one of the largest ever held in the Forks of the Creek community.

News - Rockville, Tribune, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1934

WELL KNOWN PARKE MAN TAKES LIFE LAWRENCE BAXTER SHOOTS SELF WITH SHOTGUN AT HOME FRIDAY NIGHT

Lawrence Baxter, 45 years of age, well-known farmer and miner living south of Rockville, committed suicide at 9:45 last Friday night by shooting himself with a 12 gauge shotgun. Despondency over ill health is thought to have been the cause of the act. He and Mrs. Baxter had taken a drive earlier in the evening and had come home about 9 o'clock. They retired immediately and a short time later Mr. Baxter went to the kitche, saying he wanted a drink of water. The blast from the shotgun was heard immediately after he went to the kitchen. He had placed the barrel of the gun under his chin and pulled the trigger with his toe. Surviving are the wife, Anna; three sons, Ralph, William and Donald; one daughter, Mrs. Edna Nevins; one brother, James; two sisters, Mrs. Beulah Johnson and Mrs. Mary Schuller and the mother, Mrs. Hattie Baxter.

Sources

• *"United States Census, 1930", (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X4BQ-HLB), Lawrence Baxter, 1930.

• "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ2P-1QY), Lawrence Baxter, 1917-1918; citing Parke County, Indiana, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,653,178.

• "Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007," (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZCF-JRT), Lawrence Baxter and Anna F Wood, 24 Feb 1910; citing Parke, Indiana, United States, various county clerk offices, Indiana; FHL microfilm 2,209,422.

• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=52993268