Early life and family
Ella Louise Park was born May 13, 1857, to father George S. Park and Mary Louise Holmes Park.“Ella Park Lawrence," Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths 1916-1947, Accessed July 27, 2022. Many of her family members have been notable throughout history. Ancestors of Lawrence came to America in 1639 and eight of her ancestors had fought in the Revolutionary War.“The Flag,” The Caucus Blog of the Illinois House Republicans, accessed July 22, 2022, https://www.thecaucusblog.com/2019/08/the-flag.html . During theIllinois state flag involvement
Though Lawrence herself did not design the Illinois state flag, she did have a large part in the establishment of the flag and advocating for its creation. This advocacy began with her participation in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and later her time as State Regent, and honorary Regent, of the DAR organizations in Illinois. Bahnsen, Anne M., Jessie S. Page, John H. Hanley, and Ella Park Lawrence, “The Illinois State Flag or Banner,” Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society (1908-1984) 9, no. 2 (1916): 200. .Daughters of the American Revolution
Lawrence helped organize the Rebecca Gibson Parke chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which was named after Lawrence’s ancestor, Rebecca Gibson Parke, who was a child living in Lexington, Massachusetts, when the Revolutionary War began. Park Lawrence, mother of the Illinois Flag, accessed July 22, 2022, https://www.thezephyr.com/illflag002.htm . This chapter was officially established in 1901, and by 1911 Lawrence was elected State Regent of the DAR organizations in Illinois. As State Regent, she traveled to Washington DC for the DAR’s annual National Congress. It was here that Lawrence’s fight for an Illinois state flag began, as she was walking through the DAR’sDesign contest for the Illinois state flag
Lawrence organized a design contest in order to spur support and a design that could be used for an Illinois state flag. She wrote to every DAR chapter in the state of Illinois and offered a $25 prize for the winning design, which is equivalent to almost $500 today. Lawrence received designs from all over Illinois, totaling around three dozen designs. A panel of four judges was put together to decide a winner. The judges were Secretary of State Lewis Stevenson, Supreme Court Justice Charles Craig, Superintendent of Public Instruction Francis Blair, and Hugh Magill of the Illinois State Art Commission. The winner of the contest was Lucy Derwent, a member of the DAR’s chapter in Rockford, IL. The design being the emblem shown on the state seal displayed on a white flag, the same design which is used today.Senate Bill No. 446.
In 1915, after years of hard work, Senate Bill No. 446. was passed which established Lucy Derwent’s design as the Illinois state flag. The bill stated the usefulness of a state flag for the military, civic engagements, and organizations when meeting. They agreed that “the emblem upon said great seal would be a most appropriate insignia for the uses indicated herein,” and allowed the “great seal” to be reproduced for the use of a state banner, but only in black and white, or national colors, on a white sheet or background. This was filed on July 6, 1915, the full report of this bill was given in October, and Lawrence was given the first official Illinois State Flag made by the Meyers Military Flag-Shop Company in Washington, D.C. Other flags were given out later, one being to the Daughters of the American Revolution in Illinois.Later life
Though her fight for the state flag ended with its establishment in 1915, Lawrence continued to be a vital part of her community as a philanthropist and leader. In 1916 Lawrence was named Honorary State Regent of Illinois for life for all of her hard work and dedication especially in regards to her work on getting the Illinois State Flag established. She was also known for “installing patriotism” through schools, helping with disaster relief, advocating for better roads, and organizing children’s clubs and homemaker’s societies. Lawrence established a club called “The Booker Washington Club for Colored Boys” which sought to teach “good citizenship and patriotism” to boys ages eight to ten. She and her husband donated often to their community church, as well as to both Knox College and Park College, one notable and celebrated donation being a provisional gift of $75,000 given to Park College in 1916.Philanthropy and community involvement
Lawrence held many roles throughout her life, being a member of the Presbyterian Church of Galesburg, for years the President of the society of her church, a charter member of the Board of Trustees of Park College, and an officer in numerous philanthropic and charitable institutions, especially those that were interested in the welfare of women and children.Honorary degree
In June 1922, Lawrence received an honorary degree from Knox College. She received a Master of Arts and at the ceremony Dr. McConaughy, who was leading the ceremony, commented on her efforts within the community, her time as a student, her and her husband's time as trustees, and overall the betterment of the citizens in Galesburg, IL, because of her.Death
Lawrence died in her home on March 17, 1924, at age 66. A week after her funeral, the Rebecca Parke Chapter of the DAR held a memorial service in her name. Myra Patch, a member of the DAR, spoke at this service. She said the following when speaking about Lawrence:Tremendous in energy, fervent in patriotism, resourceful in plans, Mrs. Lawrence not only gave of her money, her time, her thought and her physical strength, but she also had the happy faculty of inspiring others to do likewise — by the high standard of her work as State Regent of Illinois, Mrs. Lawrence added greatly to the honor and fame of our chapter.Lawrence was buried in Hope Cemetery, in Galesburg, IL, with her family. Her husband George Lawrence joined her ten years after her passing on September 21, 1934.“George A Lawrence,” Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths 1916-1947, accessed July 27, 2022. The Lawrence family lot is located in the southwest section of the cemetery where a large monument with the Lawrence name on it stands. The family members have their own grave stones as well, and Lawrence has a bronze marker attached to her main stone put there by the DAR to honor her services as State Regent.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Ella Park Daughters of the American Revolution people 1857 births 1924 deaths People from Galesburg, Illinois Knox College (Illinois) people