Son of William Martin Lawrence and Elizabeth King.

Brother of:
James Daniel Lawrence (1847 - 1902)
George Washington Lawrence (1849 - 1926)
William "Will" Thomas Lawrence (1854 - 1930)
Joseph Edward Lawrence 1857 - 1940)
Issac Newton Lawrence (1859 - 1918)
Half brother of:
Henry Melvean (Melvin?) Lawrence (1864 - 1933)
Cynthia Ann Lawrence (1866 - 1915)
Mary Francis "Fannie" Lawrence (1868 - 1930)
Rebecca Jane Lawrence Roy (1871 - 1948)
Ambrose Owen Lawrence (1874 - 1875)
Walter Lee Lawrence (1877 - 1902)

John's children with 1st wife Dora Clem who he married in Izard County, Arkansas:
William Thomas "Buck" "Tom" Lawrence 7/11/1877 - 7/3/1956
(m. Sarah Amanda "Nettie" Jeffery 8/28/1883 - 10/8/1957)
Owen Baxter "Fats" "Fatty" Lawrence 6/9/1880 - 7/8/1965
(m. Willie Hester Hanks 6/5/1883 - 5/3/1930
Albert Franklin Lawrence 10/6/1882 - 5/15/1966
(m. Samantha Caroline "Carrie" Jeffery 12/15/1877-6/29/1925
Joseph "Joe" "Joe Bob" Lawrence 1/14/1887 - 5/24/1970
(m. Charlotte Wilkins 4/24/1896 - 12/31/1972)
(m. Bessie Cooper)
Clem Cheola Lawrence 2/20/1889 - 7/12/1966
(m. Joannah Warne Lawrence 2/17/1895 - 4/27/1983)

Children with second wife Ava Thompson who he married on 8/1/1900 in Melbourne, Izard County, Arkansas (witnessed by his oldest son William Thomas "Buck" "Tom" Lawrence):
Cansas Dora Lawrence 9/2/1901 - 9/9/1901
Thelma Jersuha Lawrence 4/22/1903 - 5/29/1903
Cora Agnus Lawrence
Addie Mabel Lawrence 9/17/1907 -
(m. Nathaniel Fleming "Nat" Norman 1/24/1907 - 1/1987)
Ruby Jewell Lawrence 8/12/1911 - 9/7/1978
(m. David Bennett Hill 12/10/1904 - 1/1985)

The 1900 US Census shows the family living in Melbourne, Izard County, Arkansas. There is no wife listed but the record says that John is married and has been for 13 years but by this time his wife Dora has been dead since 1889. He would marry his second wife, Ava Thompson, on 8/1/1900 after this census was taken. The following family members are shown in the home:
John M. Lawrence M
Child Owen B Lawrence M
Child Albert F Lawrence M
Child Jos E Lawrence M

The 1910 US Census shows the family living at White River, Izard County, Arkansas with the following family members living in the home:
John M. Lawrence M 58y
Spouse Alva Lawrence F 32y
Child Albert Lawrence M 22y
Child C S Lawrence M 20y
Child Cora Lawrence F 5y
Child Ada M Lawrence F 2y

The 1920 US Census shows the family is still living in Izard County. The following family members are recorded living in the home:
J M Lawrence M 68y
Spouse Amy Lawrence F 41y
Child Cora Lawrence F 15y
Child Addie Lawrence F 12y
Child R J Lawrence F 9y