William Henry Larew

Source: Madera Weekly Tribune, Number 48, 12 February 1920

WM. H. LAREW IS FOUND DEAD IN HIS OFFICE PROMINENT ATTORNEY DIES FROM SUFFOCATION—DEATH CAME ON SIXTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY

The entire city of Madera was shocked today on learning that W. H. Larew, prominent attorney and one of the most highly respected citizens, had passed away. Mr. Larew was found sitting in his chair in the Drammar building at 8 o'clock this morning. His head was turned to one side and his arms were hanging at his side as though he were asleep. Life had been extinct for several hours.

The cause of death was undoubtedly suffocation. Mr. Larew had gone to his office yesterday and lighted a small gas heater. The door and window were closed. He had probably gone to sleep and as the gas flame had exhausted the oxygen In the air he was suffocated while he slept. When he was found this morning, the gas heater was still burning. An examination by Undertaker Jay showed that there was no air In his lungs, and the color of his face and body was that caused by suffocation.

Mr. Larew had lived for the past year with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Parkes. He did not go home last night, so Mr. Parkes went to his office this morning to see if he had left town. He found his father-in-law rigid in death. Dr. Rinker was Immediately called, but Mr. Larew was beyond any earthly aid.

His death occurred some time last night, on his 65th birthday. Mr. Larew, during his 29 years’ residence in Madera, had become one of the best known citizens of the town and county. He was a man of broad information, a scholar and an able lawyer. Few were better versed In the law than he. Personally he was the most kind-hearted of men, always willing to help those In distress and to share his knowledge with others of his profession. He was a man of strict integrity—one whose word was as good as his bond. He was an honored member of the Madera County Bar association, he and Attorney Fee being the oldest members of that organization. He had been In excellent health recently, and seemed good for many more years of useful life.

To mourn his death he leaves two daughters and one son, and four grandchildren. The daughters are Mrs. Virginia Rue and Mrs. Christine Parkes. The son is James W. Larew. Of the four grandchildren, one Is the little daughter of the late Mrs. Clara Brimmer, his eldest daughter. He also leaves four brothers and three sisters. The brothers are John S. Larew of El Centro, James A. Larew of Compton, Los Angeles county, Peter and Conrad Larew of West Virginia. The sisters are Miss Clara Peters and Mary Ann Larew and Mrs. Margaret R. McClaugherty. all of West Virginia.

William Henry Larew was born at the family homestead In Monroe county, West Virginia, on February 8, 1855. He was a direct descendant of the Huguenot family of LaRue which fled from France on the revocation of the edict of Nantes and the massacre of St. Bartholomew and came to America for safety. Abraham La Rue. a great great grandfather of the deceased Maderan, was the head of that family in this country, he having having settled in Augusta county, Virginia, before the Revolutionary war. Later he moved to what is now West Virginia. A son settled In Larue county, Kentucky, the county, which took its name from that family, having been the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.

At the age of 16, William H. Larew began teaching In a district school in his home county. He followed that vocation until 1875, when, at the age of 20, he came to California, he being accompanied by his brother, Peter. The latter returned east in 1884. After working at Winters, Yolo county for a time, he attended the state normal school at San Jose for seven months. He then taught school in Humboldt and Yolo counties, following which he returned to the normal school to complete the teacher’s course. He then followed that vocation in Hollister, San Benito County, where for a year he was vice principal. In 1878 he accepted a position in a Mariposa county school and while there was made county superintendent of schools. In 1891 he came to Madera. He had invented a school blackboard and on coming here it was his intention to devote his time to the manufacture of that. But he gave that up for the study of law, to which he had devoted a considerable time during his school teaching. He was admitted to practice in the supreme court in 1891 and opened a law office here.

Mr. Larew was one of the originators of the plan to divide Fresno County and organize Madera county. In this movement he took a prominent part, and his work and ability was largely due the success of the plan. He and a few others spent considerable time at Sacramento in the interest of the legislation which finally resulted in the organization of the county in May, 1893. At the election for county officers of the new county he was one of four candidates for superior judge. In this race Judge Conley was successful and has since held the position. Mr. Larew was made first president of the county board of education. On June 11, 1897, he was appointed district attorney by the board of supervisors, to succeed Miles Wallace, who resigned the office to accept the position of guardian of Yosemite Valley. Mr. Larew completed that term which ended on December 31, 1898.

In the early nineties Mr. Larew was one of several Maderans who took up land in what is now the Imperial valley. Most, if not all, of the others gave up their title to that land, but Mr. Larew held on to his. He had to protect it in suits in court in which, after a long battle, be was successful. This was quite recently. He sold part of that holding for a good price and retained the balance of the land. This foresight gave him a handsome competence.