Henry "Ben" and Joanna Lawrence's family photos.
Joanna Agnes Smith and "Ben" Henry Lawrence were married in 1915 two days before Joanna's older Sister's husband passed due to Tuberculosis.
Along with taking in her sisters children Harold & Florence, they would go on to have and raise 5 of their own children, Earl, "Bob" Robert, George, "Ed" Cyril and "Weasie" Louise.
The following pictures are a few of many random photos that were lose in a box. They came from many different sources and at various times. We posted a few family gatherings that we are able to identify. We will post more over time. Enjoy!
Just a few from their collection with more to come later...
Henry "Ben" Lawrence Farm House
The stone house was built in the later 1700's while this photograph was taken in 1951.
His Township agreement of re-routing the road guaranteed that his driveway would always be paved !
Henry "Ben" Lawrence Farm
Located on what is now called Poplar Road, the street snaked around his barn and house.
He worked with the Township to have the new paved road go in a straight line and bypass his farmhouse and barn. The Township then kept his driveway paved until he left the Farm.
Lawrence - Smith - Weaver event probably later 1930's.
Gathering with numerous Lawrence, Weaver and Smith family members. A great time had by all!
Hot Summer Day Swim!
A favorite Adams County swimming hole was the Alwine Brick Company's quarry. George & Edward Lawrence with friends Jim Shrader, Edwin & Carroll Krichten pictured here on one of many occasions.
Henry "Harry" Anthony & Margaret "Marg" Staub-Smith
So well loved and in so many group photos.
Lawrence - Jeffcoat - Smith event
An even earlier family gathering Photo, most likely mid 1919 since Earl Lawrence (10) looks to be one year old or less. Name, pictures and date matches up to everyone with two exceptions. ?? Gertrude Jeffcoat (8) born in 1907 is six years younger than her sister Mary Jeffcoat (1) and a year younger than Corrine Smith (9) but appears to look significantly older in this picture. Also, William Jeffcoat (3) appears to be close in age to Paul (4) born in 1915 so this could be Noah David Jeffcoat’s son William Charles Jeffcoat, born in 1913? William’s Mother passed in 1918 so maybe he is with Mary Jeffcoat (1) or the women labeled Gertrude (8) but is another relative? No other of our photos can currently validate Gertrude or William.
A few Joanna & Ben's Children family photos
Brushtown Bulldogs Baseball Team Champions!
Ed and George Lawrence loved baseball and joined the Brush-town Bulldogs where they won their leagues championship in 1943 by beating New Oxford.
George and Ed Lawrence
The two brothers wearing their cousin Florence Smith's hats!
"Bob" Earl
Robert Henry
Joseph Lawrence
Lawrence
b. 1-15-1919 b. 10-12-1918
d 5-8-1983 d. 2-22-1948
Earl Benedict Lawrence
b. Oct 12, 1918 Oxford PA Township d. Feb 22, 1948 New Oxford PA Area
In 1911, Earl Contracted pneumonia was the most common reason for infants and children to be admitted to the hospital. The local Hanover Hospital wasn’t opened until 1926 and accredited much later.
Earl became an invalid by the time he was 7 years old. His local doctor and family believed it was Pneumonia and/or Polio. The family wrote to then President Franklin Roosevelt who had his personal physician respond. Some initial physical therapy treatments were provided and helped, but the cost to continue this treatment was too costly and would not have been an end cure.
His one side was paralyzed from an early age and became wheelchair bound for 22 years. According to his death certificate Earl had Multiple Sclerosis and died from Chronic Myocarditis. He lived with his Parents on the farm and reached his thirtieth birthday before his passing.
Joanna Smith-Lawrence with her first born Earl and her brothers Harry & George Smith.
Henry Earle "Ben" and Joanna Agnes Smith-Lawrence Wedding Portrait.
Wedding Portrait of Joanna Smith and Ben Lawrence with Harry and Anna Smith
Spelling wasn't as important back then as to day. They had no Databases, Social Security numbers, Spell Checkers while the German language was spoken here more then English...
