The Ellwood Lawson Collection consists of items collected by Lawson and his wife, Darla, that relate to his experience as an Old China Hand. The collection is primarily made up of biographical documents, photographs, and articles outlining Lawson's military service in China and his life in Pekin, Illinois.

Ellwood "Woody" Lawson was born in Pekin, Illinois on January 12, 1926. During World War II, Lawson served as a Marine Corps machine gunner in Okinawa and China and attained the rank of corporal. He was a life member of the 1st Marine Division Association and the China Marine Association, as well as the Marine Corps League in Pekin. Outside of the Marine Corps, Lawson served as the last residential ice delivery man in Pekin and also worked as a galvanizer for Keystone Steel and Wire Company. Lawson owned and operated a bait and tackle shop as well as a tap house in his hometown. He passed away in Pekin, Illinois on April 21, 2010.

0.21 linear feet

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

The collection is open for research use.