LAWSON, William Albert - L-Obituaries

Mellott, Feb 9 - W. Albert Lawson, 78, lifelong resident of this community, died at his home here Thursday morning at 3 o'clock. Death was due to a stroke of paralysis suffered a week ago.He had been in failing health a month. Mr. Lawson was born Nov 27, 1854, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Larson. He changed his name to Lawson after he became a man. When he was but a tiny baby his mother died and when he was 15 months old he was taken into the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Archer. He was adopted by the Archer family several years later but retained his own family name. On Jan 15, 1882, Mr. Lawson was married to Mary Murray, who has been dead a number of years (sic - only two). He was a member of the South Christian Church of Mellott and of the Red Men Lodge. At the death of his mother and his subsequent adoption by the Archer family, Mr. Lawson lost contact with other members of his family. Through his daughter-in-law, Mr. Lawson in 1926, found that he had a sister, Mrs. Johanna Johnson, residing in Tacoma, Washington. The brother and sister, after corresponding for several months arranged for Mrs. Johnson to come east and the two met for the first time in 70 years. The reunion gained wide publicity at the time. Mr. Lawson could not remember having seen his sister before their separation. The survivors, besides the sister, include a don, Marion Lawson; four grandchildren and 3 half-brothers and two-half sisters, all of whom reside in Minnesota. The funeral services will be held at the South Christian Church in Mellott Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery, Waynetown.   --kbz