Lawrence, Bela Malcolm (1857-1925)

Dates

• Existence: 1857 - 1925

Biography

Bela Malcolm Lawrence was born in Cherryfield, ME, on January 1, 1857. He graduated from high school in his home town and later attended Coburn Classical Institute in Waterloo, ME. He graduated from Colby College with a Bachelors of Arts and received his M.A. from the University of Chicago. Shortly after his graduation from Colby, he went to Owatonna, MN, and taught for one year at Pillsbury Academy. From here he went to Farmington, MN, as principal.

On March 30, 1886, Lawrence married Laura E. Arey. The couple had four children with three dying in infancy. From Farmington, Lawrence went to Lisbon, ND, where he taught in a Baptist College. He then served as Superintendent of Schools at Lisbon. From Lisbon, Lawrence went to Flandreau, SD, as superintendent of schools. In 1905, he joined the faculty of the Madison State Normal School as head of the Mathematics Department and Superintendent of the training department. In 1917, he was appointed Secretary and Registrar and served in this capacity until ill health forced his retirement.

Lawrence was a member and an active worker in the Baptist Church. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon College Fraternity, Evergreen Lodge A.F. and A.M., and served as W.M. at two different times. He also belonged to the R.A.M. and Commandery. He was the head of the Memorial Day Association in Madison for several years, and held several offices in the South Dakota Educational Association.

Lawrence died March 31, 1925. His funeral was held in the Masonic Temple in Madison, and he was buried in Farmington, Minnesota.

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