Guide to the Ellwood Lawson Collection
Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
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Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of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 5
Jung Chen Photographic Studio,
ca. 1945
Box 1, Folder 6
Jung Chen Photographic Studio,
ca. 1945
