Primary Name: Lawson, William
Filed as: william_lawson
Also known as: William Lawson
Occupation / Association: Carpenter; Boat Builder; Miner; Charter Member, Juneau Men's Igloo No. 6; Street Commissioner
Born: December 27, 1843, St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada
Died: January 29, 1932, Morningside Hospital, Portland, Oregon
Parents:
Spouse:
Children:
Associated places: St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada; Juneau, Alaska; Douglas Island, Alaska; Cape Fanshaw, Alaska; Sitka, Alaska; Portland, Oregon
Keywords: William Lawson, Lawson William, Juneau pioneer carpenter, Juneau boat builder, Lawson Creek Douglas Island, Cape Fanshaw settlement Lawson, Juneau Men's Igloo No. 6
Biography
William Lawson was a charter member of the Juneau Men's Igloo of the Pioneers of Alaska. He was born at St. John's, New Brunswick, Canada, on December 27, 1843. Lawson moved west at an early age and came to Juneau in late 1881 or early 1882.
A skilled carpenter and boat builder, Lawson constructed a number of Juneau’s early business buildings. Like many residents of the region during the early mining era, he also engaged in mining.
Around 1904, he settled with others near Cape Fanshaw, and the small community there was known for a time as Lawson. After returning to Juneau, he served as Street Commissioner under one of Mayor Emery Valentine's administrations.
In 1922, Lawson became blind and entered the Pioneers’ Home at Sitka. In 1930, he was transferred to Morningside Hospital near Portland, Oregon, where he died on January 29, 1932.
Lawson Creek on Douglas Island, draining into Gastineau Channel opposite Juneau, was named for William Lawson, an early resident of Juneau and Douglas. In 1881, miners called the stream Lazard Creek, probably for N. B. Lazard, who located mining claims nearby. It was also known as Big Creek and Falls Creek. The name Lawson first appeared in mining records in 1894.
Sources
RootsWeb Juneau historical records; Pioneers of Alaska Juneau Men’s Igloo charter member records
Tags: William Lawson, Lawson William, Juneau Men's Igloo No. 6, Pioneers of Alaska, Lawson Creek Douglas Island, Juneau carpenters, Juneau boat builders, Cape Fanshaw residents