Most likely born in New Jersey, almost nothing is known about Lawrence's early life. His father is believed to be Hans Jacob Winkler, but was definitely one of the 3 Winkler brothers who arrived in Philidelphia in 1753 on the ship Neptune (from locations unknown). He married in North Carolina and migrated to West Virginia in 1806 before he finally settled down in Wayne County, Ohio in 1814, becoming a pioneer of Ohio and one of the earliest settlers and founders of Green Township, which wouldn't be formed until 1817. Lawrence and wife Frances had a total of 9 kids and spent the rest of his life in Wayne County, passing away at the age of 77.
