Individual Notes
Note for: Laurence Wilmer Bubbett, 28 JAN 1884 - 6 AUG 1960
Index
Occupation: Editor/American Eagle
Date: BET 1948 AND FEB 1949
Residence: Date: ABT 1902
Place: Baltimore, MD & New York (study music)
Residence: Date: BET 1915 AND 1918
Place: Brooklyn New York
Residence: Date: BEF 1940
Place: Miami, FL; Printer for Graham brothers
Residence: Date: 1940
Place: Estero, FL; worked for Guiding Star Print Shop
Event: Second group
Type: Arrived in Florida
Date: 1894
Event: Estero, Lee, Florida
Type: Census/1900
Date: 27 JUN 1900
Event: Type: Elected
Date: BET 12 NOV 1947 AND 5 MAY 1960
Place: President, Koreshan Unity (4th President)
Event: Played first violin/organ--Violin instructor
Type: Orchestra
Event: Violin instructor
Type: Pioneer Curriculum
Burial: Date: 6 AUG 1960
Place: Estero, Lee, Florida
Individual Note: THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Laurence Wilmer Bubbett; Born: 28 Jan 1884, Quincy; Died: 6 Aug 1960, Estero.
FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready; Laurie Bubbett: James directed the mechanical phases of the printing and publishing operations. At the death of Dr. Teed, he became president of the K. U. until his death in 1924. Evelyn was manager of publications and treasurer of the organization. Roy lived outside. Imogene married Claude Rahn, but died and he remarried. Laurie played first violin in the orchestra while I was there; was president of the K.U. at the time of his death.
THE AMERICAN EAGLE; April 1993; Vol. 79; Page 3; The Koreshan Story Continues--The Period of Decline by Sara Rea: "The first Unity president, Annie Ordway, served from 1903 until her resignation in 1909, and the second president was James H. Bubbett, who died in 1924. The next elected president was Allen H. Andrews, whose term ended in 1949 when Lawrence Bubbett was elected....."
U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1900; Enumeration date: 27 Jun 1900; Enumerator: A. A. Gardner; Microfilm number: 1240172; SD: 2; ED: 77; Sheet number: 16; Page number: 26; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff: Lawrence W. Bubbitt; Relation to head of family: partner; Color: white; Sex: male; Born: Jan 1884; Age 16; Single; Born: Illinois; Place of birth of father and mother: Unknown; Occupation: Assistant; No of months not employed: Nothing listed; Number of months attended school: 0; Can read and write: yes; Can speak English: yes.
U.S. Federal 1930 Census; Estero, Lee County, Florida; Laurence W. Bubbett; Radio set: none listed; Sex: Male; Color: white; Age at last birthday: 46; Marital status: single; Attended school since Sep 1, 1929: no; Whether able to read and write: yes; Place of birth: Illinois; Place of birth of father: Kentucky; Place of birth of mother: Kentucky; Whether able to speak English: yes; Occupation: Publisher; Industry: Publishing house; Whether actually at work yesterday (or the last regular working day): yes; Veteran: no.
Burial: Koreshan Unity Cemetery--lot 51; Inscription: Lawrence Bubbett-Aug-6-60.
THE PIONEER CURRICULUM: Violin Instructor, Laurence W. Bubbett
MEMORIES, MEMORIES--DAYS OF LONG AGO chronicled by Marie with participation by Lovelle McCready: Laurie Bubbett played first violin.--Page 78 Laurie Bubbett, Hedwig Michel, Claude J. Rahn and Anne W. Lewis, on motion of Hedwig, seconded by Laurie and unanimously carried, it was decided to contact the proper state authorities about having the home grounds perpetuated as a
memorial park.--Page 91.
Notes of Evelyn Horn: L. W. Bubbett (Lawerence) sic (Laurie) Parents: Evelyn and James Bubbett; one sister Imogene: brother Leroy. They joined the Koreshan Home in Chicago in 1886--coming to Estero with the Koreshan movement in 1894--with the second group coming by train to Punta Gorda, by boat to Estero.
Laurie, as he was called by friends, grew up in the Unity. His life-long love was music. When he reached his adult age, he left the Unity for Baltimore, Maryland, also New York, to find his career in music. He had also learned the printing trade at the Unity, which was his lively-hood. He was always close to the Unity family, always coming home for long periods between jobs. In later years he worked as a printer in Miami with the Graham brothers. He was always in an orchestra.
In 1940 he moved home to the Koreshan Unity to work at the Guiding Star Printing Shop. On November 12, 1947, he was elected president of the Koreshan Unity. 1948 and until February 1949 he was editor of "The American Eagle." He served as president until his death on August 5, 1960. He was buried in the Koreshan cemetery.
Laurie had a warm, loving personality, witty, humorous--always had a joke to tell. His love of music--loved driving long car trips. He loved to travel. He had one trip abroad to Germany and Switzerland. He was of medium build, sandy hair, clear blue-grey eyes, ruddy complexion. A very neat person in his dress. His closest life-long friend was Claude J. Rahn--his brother-in-law. Laurie always wore light summer suits for dress, blue-grey and his work clothes were of tan twill, matching long sleeve shirt and pants.
NOTES:
Between 1915 and 1918 Laurie lived in New York City. In the archives collection there are excerpts from letters that were written to him by members of the Unity. Also included is Laurie's wallet which contains his drivers license as well as a calling card and a business card for Claude Rahn. The license is dated 1919 and there is a renewal dated June 6, 1929.