Guide to the Ellwood Lawson Collection

Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
URL: https://library.csun.edu/SCA  

Contact: https://library.csun.edu/SCA/Contact  

© Copyright 2020 Special Collections & Archives. All rights reserved.


Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives
Title: Ellwood Lawson Collection
Creator: Ellwood Lawson, 1926-2010
Identifier/Call Number: OCH.EL
Extent: 0.21 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1945-2013
Abstract: 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.
Language of Material: English Chinese

Biographical Information:

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.

Scope and Contents

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, including photographs and articles outlining Lawson's military service in China and his life in Pekin, Illinois. Many of these materials are annotated by Darla Lawson. The collection also includes an article written by Lawson's commanding officer, Captain W. H. Brockington, recounting memories of WWII; Chinese banknotes and coins; a 2002 China Marine Association Directory; and photographs from the Jung Chen Photographic Studio, with captions, depicting attractions around Peiping (present day Beijing). The materials are arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically within.

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has been transferred to California State University, Northridge.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.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Darla Lawson, 11/18/2015.

Preferred Citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials  guide.

Processing Information:

Christine Hertzel and Tiffney Sanford, 2016

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Documents
Photographs

Box 1, Folder 1

Biographical Materials, 1945-2013

Box 1, Folder 2

Brockington, Captain W. H., 1997

Box 1, Folder 3

China Marine Association Directory, 2002

Box 1, Folder 4

Currency

Box 1, Folder 5

Jung Chen Photographic Studio, ca. 1945

Box 1, Folder 6

Jung Chen Photographic Studio, ca. 1945