History
Lawrence’s was established in 1908 when John Lawrence, who had moved west with his young family (wife Julia and daughters Ruth and Elsie), purchased the inventory of a jeweler who had gone bankrupt. John was a watch repairman extraordinaire. The word soon spread that this was the place to go to get your watch worked on. As time wore on the profits from the very successful watch repair business allowed the inventory to grow. Medford was growing during these early years and Lawrence’s prospered.
In the early 1920’s John’s wife Julia died of cancer. After a few years John remarried. His new bride, Thora, immediately became an active part of the business. She was instrumental in bringing many new lines of china and crystal. These additions enhanced the store and brought many new customers, however the watch and jewelry repair portion of the business continued to be the cornerstone.
1929 brought the stock market crash and the depression. Few people had the cash to purchase inventory, so this part of the business declined to some extent. Watch and jewelry repairs continued to be important though, and if customers didn’t have cash they would often pay for their repairs with food or other barter items.
The next decade brought on World War II. The depression was over, but the war effort continued to take many of the resources of Jackson County. John developed eye cancer and lost one eye. He continued to repair watches despite this handicap, but eventually lost his battle with cancer and died in 1944. He left no will so his widow, Thora, took over the store with the understanding that John’s daughters Ruth and Elsie would have the right of first refusal should she ever wish to sell the store.
The store soon became too much for Thora to manage on her own and in the early fifties she offered it to John’s daughters for sale. Ruth and her husband Austin Brownell owned a flourishing business in Grants Pass and were not interested. His daughter, Elsie and her husband Arnel Butler were interested. Elsie was the head of the math department of Medford Senior High School at the time. Elsie and Arnel along with their children, Robert (Bob) and Julia (Ann), purchased the store in 1952. Bob who was serving in the Air Force during the Korean War joined the store at the conclusion of the war and took up watch repair using some of his grandfather’s original tools. Ann, who had worked in the store previously, took a short sabbatical for the birth of her second son and rejoined the store in 1955. The store had gone through some lean times since John’s death and was just able to support Bob and Ann at the beginning. In order to help the store grow, Elsie worked summers Saturdays and after school for no salary. Bob truly had his grandfather’s feel for watch repair. Soon it was true once again that Lawrence’s was the best place to go to get your watch worked on. He also had a keen eye of fine diamonds and gemstones, and Lawrence’s also became known for fine jewelry. Ann, who had worked many years under Thora had a real feel for china, crystal and fine giftware. Lawrence’s also became known for these items and their bridal registry.
In 1964 Bob, Ann and Elsie purchased a building in downtown Medford and moved Lawrence’s to it’s present location. 1965 saw Elsie’s retirement from teaching. A loved and honored teacher she was serenaded outside the store by the high school choir following her retirement. Many of her former students who had gone on to find great success, including the current president of the University of Oregon, the head of the physics department at the University of Texas, and a three star general, who would stop by and thank her whenever they visited the valley. She now devoted all of her time to the store, still with no compensation. This was the time of Lawrence’s greatest growth. Bob, Ann and Elsie proved to be a tremendous team, dividing responsibilities and conquering difficulties.
In 1969 at the age of 14 Jerry Horton (son of Ann, grandson of Elise) started helping out in the store after school for a couple hours ad day. In 1974 he started working full time as an apprentice goldsmith and engraver. He represented the fourth generation to work in the store. In 1980 his older brother Chuck joined him. Together they formed Lawrence’s II in 1986, when the Rogue Valley Mall opened in North Medford. Jerry went back to the original store and took over after his uncle Bob retired in 1999.
In 2005 Jerry’s son Jared (representing the 5th generation) stated working as an apprentice goldsmith and engraver at the original store.
Chuck, retired at the end of 2007, closing Lawrence’s II at the Rogue Valley Mall. The original Lawrence’s remains open and celebrated our 100-year anniversary in 2008.