Background
Sawyer, Roland Douglas was born on January 8, 1874 in Kensington, New Hampshire, United States. Son of of Stephen C. and Maria P. (Blake) S.
Sawyer, Roland Douglas was born on January 8, 1874 in Kensington, New Hampshire, United States. Son of of Stephen C. and Maria P. (Blake) S.
Studied in common and high schools and worked in shoe shop and on farm. Continued studies at Lay College, Revere, Massachusetts, and Boston University.
Assistant pastor S. Congressional Church, Brockton, Massachusetts, 1898-1900. Pastor First Church, Hanson, 1900-1904, Ward Hill Church, Haverhill, 1904-1909, First Church, Ware, since 1909. Instructor department Bible history and criticism, Lay College, 1900-1903.
Conducted crusade against profanity, 1902-1907, and organized Anti-Profanity League. Delaware Manchester (N.H.) Convention, to organize Populist Party, 1894. Delegate various political convs., N.H. and Massachusetts, 1896-1904.
Represented Hearst movement in Democratic State convs. of Massachusetts, 1904, 05, 06. Chairman of Commission on resolutions Independent League Convention, Boston, 1907. Delegate Independent League National Convention, Chicago, 1908, and made nominating speech for Thomas L. Hisgen as candidate for President of the United States.
Lecturer Socialist Party, 1908-1912. Socialist candidate for government (Massachusetts), 1912. Returned to Democratic party, 1913, and member Massachusetts legislature, 1914-1941 (holds record of longest continuous service in 300 year-old Massachusetts General Court).
Delegate Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, 1917-1919. Candidate for Congress, 1925. Delegate Democratic National Convention, 1924, 28.
Author several books. Latest publication: History of Kensington, N.H., 1943. Words of the Lord Jesus, 1963.Contributor scholarly reviews of New Testament study.
Member Patrons of Husbandry, I.O.O.F., L.O.O.M.
Married Mary L. Palmer, June 29, 1898. Children: Ruth Elizabeth, Rachel Nathalie, Roland Darrow, Robert Palmer, Rosalind Blake, Ramona Jeanette.