from The Fitchburg Sentinel, 26 Sep 1893,
Death of George L. Lawrence

Lieut. George L. Lawrence, the first Fitchburg man to enter the United States service for three years during the late war, died at his home, 39 Cottage square, this morning, after a wasting illness that extended over a period of more than 10 year.

Lieut. Lawrence was the son of Henry L. and the late Martha H. (Leighton) Lawrence, and was born at Groton, Aug. 14, 1836. His parents moved to Fitchburg when he was seven years old, and he attended the public schools of the town and while quite young he went to Boston, where he was employed by Liberty Bigelow in the office of the Grand Junction railroad.

He early developed a taste for military affairs and had been a member of the Fitchburg Fusiliers and of the Boston Fusiliers before the breaking out of the civil war. He was a resident of Fitchburg when Fort Sumter was fired upon, at the Fusiliers not being called immediately into the service, he went to Boston, and on May 23, 1861, was mustered into the United States service as a sergeant of Co. G, 1st Mass regiment. His older brother, William H., who was afterwards on Gen. Hooker's staff, was first lieutenant in the same company. George was promoted to second lieutenant, Aug. 30, 1862, and to first lieutenant, July 2, 1863. He served the full term of three years.

After the expiration of his term of service he resumed his former position in the office of the Grand Junction railroad. Later he was baggage master for the B. C. F. & N. B. railroad, between Fitchburg and Providence, and afterwards expressmanager of the Fitchburg railroad between this city and Boston.

Lieut. Lawrence married Jan 4, 1870, Florence F., widow of Lieut. Fred H. Sibley and daughter of Harrison Smith, who, with one son, Lewis S., survives him. His aged father and one sister Mrs. George F. Battles are also living.

He was one of the bravest soldiers who served in the field and the seeds of his long illness were undoubtedly sown during the trying experiences of camp and field. His family mourn a kind and faithful husband and father and the community loses so honorable and patriotic citizen.