Laurence Hawley Watres

Laurence Hawley Watres (July 18, 1882 – February 6, 1964) was an attorney and politician from Scranton, Pennsylvania. A Republican, he was most notable for his service as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1923 to 1931.

A native of Scranton, and the son of a prominent Pennsylvania political and business figure, Watres graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School before practicing law in Scranton. In addition, he was involved in several businesses, as well as charitable and civic endeavors. A longtime member of the National Guard, Watres was a veteran of the Pancho Villa Expedition and World War I, earning the Distinguished Service Cross for wartime heroism during combat in France.

In 1922, Watres was elected to the U.S. House. He was reelected three times, and served from 1923 to 1931. During his Congressional service, Watres largely concentrated on veterans' issues and the regulation of the growing air mail and commercial aviation fields. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1930, and resumed practicing law in Scranton. In addition, he became the publisher of the Scranton Republican newspaper.

In 1951, Watres moved to East Orange, New Jersey, where he lived in retirement. He died on February 6, 1964, while on vacation in San Germán, Puerto Rico. He was buried at Glenwood Mausoleum in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.

Early life Laurence H. Watres was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on July 18, 1882, the son of Louis Arthur Watres and Effie J. (Hawley) Watres. He attended the public schools of Scranton and The Hill School, before enrolling at Princeton University, where he graduated with an AB degree in 1904.

After college, Watres attended Harvard Law School and received his LL.B. degree in 1907. In October 1907 he joined Company H, 13th Infantry Regiment as a private, and he advanced to corporal and sergeant before receiving his commission as a second lieutenant in July 1908.

As a captain, Watres commanded Company C, 13th Infantry Regiment during its service on the Mexico–United States border as part of the Pancho Villa Expedition.

World War I At the start of World War I, Watres commanded Company M, 109th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 28th Division. He combined the company with soldiers from his own company and led an ad hoc attack that resulted in numerous enemy killed, wounded, and taken prisoner, as well as the capture of several machine gun nests.

Post-war After returning to the United States world war I, Watres took part in reorganizing the 109th Infantry Regiment.

Distinguished Service Cross citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Laurence H. Watres, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 108th Machine-Gun Battalion, 28th Division, A.E.F., near Baslieux, France, 5 September 1918. Under heavy enemy machine-gun fire, Captain Watres took command of Company D, 109th Infantry, which was without officers and was greatly disorganized in a position to his rear. He led the company, together with some of his own men to the attack, killing a number of the enemy, taking others prisoners, and capturing several machine gun nests.

GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 130 (1919)

Continued career After his wartime service, Cronin returned to Scranton, where he assumed management of the Scranton Republican newspaper, which was owned by his family. For many years he was corporate counsel and a member of the board of directors of the Scranton's Spring Brook Water Company, another Watres family venture. Watres was also a longtime director of the Wesel Manufacturing Company, producers of wood and metalworking machinery.

Watres was involved in numerous charitable and civic endeavors, including service as executive officer of the Order of DeMolay in Pennsylvania from 1939 to 1951.

Watres succeeded his father, Louis A. Watres, who was a longtime trustee of Keystone Military Academy, and was one of the leaders who transformed the school into Keystone Junior College (now Keystone College) in the 1930s.

Active in youth and patriotic organizations, Watres was long involved with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and served as president of the Scranton-area council.

Congressional service In 1922, Watres was elected to the 68th United States Congress as a Republican. He also served as a member of Pennsylvania's state Republican Committee, and made an unsuccessful run for the U.S. House in 1934.

Retirement and death Watres retired in 1951 and moved to East Orange, New Jersey.