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Lawshe Family Papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS235

Scope and Content

This collection spans three generations of the Lawshe Family, the bulk of the materials concentrate on John Zimmerman Lawshe. Much of the attention is given to the personal activities of John Lawshe as a graduate of Boy’s High School and the New York Homeopathic College, and his activities as a Mason in Atlanta. Documents include the commencement program for Boys’ High, 23 June 1875; and copies of obituaries and death announcements documenting John Lawshe’s activities. John’s wife, Willie James Elder, and his daughter Martha were both active in the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Red Cross. Certificates and records of their activities are included in this collection. The collections, through copies of business cards, document the location of the Er Lawshe Jewelry Shop in downtown Atlanta.

Dates

  • 1875-1965

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative/Biographical History

Er Lawshe (1824-1897) was born in Union County, Pennsylvania on 27 March 1824. He moved to Atlanta, Ga. in 1848. He worked first as a cabinet maker and later opened a jewelry shop. He married Sarah Winifred Peck (1835-1894) in Atlanta on 8 August 1854. With the beginning of the Civil War, Lawshe received a Captain’s commission and served the duration of the war in the Confederate Army. He returned to Atlanta, where he was active in the First Methodist Church. He is recognized as one of the founders of Old Wesley Chapel. He was also an active Mason. Er Er and Sarah Lawshe had five children: three sons: John Zimmerman Lawshe (1856- 1927); William Peck Lawshe (1858-1892); and Er Lawshe, Jr. (1872-1947); and two daughters: Annie Lawshe Hardeman (1863-1951); and Margaret Lawshe (1866-?). John Zimmerman Lawshe married Willie James Elder (1869-1951) on 11 February 1891. They had one daughter, Martha (born 21 March 1892, died 20 August 1991). John Z. Lawshe graduated from Boy’s High and attended the New York Homeopathic College. He graduated in 1883 and returned to Atlanta to practice medicine. In addition to medicine, John also served as United States Marshall for the North Georgia district. Lawshe died on 16 May 1897.

Extent

0.25 linear ft.

Language

English

System of Arrangement

Files are arranged in alphabetical order by titles supplied by staff

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Miss Martha Lawshe, 1979 (1979.080, 1979.300)

General Physical Description note

Extent: .25 linear ft. (40 items)

Description Control

Collection processed in 2007.

Title
Lawshe Family Papers ahc.MSS 235
Subtitle
An Inventory of Their Papers at the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center
Author
Inventory prepared by Michael Brubaker
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040