Laurence H. Watres | |
|---|---|
 National Photo Company Collection, Library of Congress | |
| Member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 11th congressional district | |
| In office March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1931 | |
| Preceded by | Clarence D. Coughlin |
| Succeeded by | Patrick J. Boland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 18, 1882 Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 6, 1964 (aged 81) San Germán, Puerto Rico |
| Resting place | Glenwood Mausoleum, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Relatives | Louis Arthur Watres (father) |
| Education | Princeton University Harvard Law School |
| Profession | Attorney Newspaper publisher |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States Pennsylvania |
| Service | United States Army Pennsylvania Army National Guard |
| Years of service | 1899 1907–1928 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Service number | O-178825 |
| Unit | U.S. Army Infantry Branch |
| Commands | Company C, 13th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment Company M, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division Company B, 108th Machine Gun Battalion, 28th Division Company D, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division 101st Machine Gun Battalion, 26th Division 109th Machine Gun Battalion, 28th Division |
| Wars | Pancho Villa Expedition World War I |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Purple Heart |
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 and practiced in Scranton. In addition, he was involved in several businesses, as well as charitable and civic endeavors. A longtime National Guard member, Watres was a veteran of the Pancho Villa Expedition and World War I, and received 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, 1954, while on vacation in San Germán, Puerto Rico. He was buried at Glenwood Mausoleum in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.