Michael Lawler

LAWLER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/14/2011 at 11:19:26

Michael Lawler Family
“Parnell Centennial: 1885-1985- 100 years in Little Ireland.”

Part II

Juell Lawler graduated from high school in 1910 and went to work as a school teacher in Lytle City, a small town and Indian reservation between Parnell and Holbrook. I remember Sal Day and her daughter Tilley from the reservation who used to work at our house. Perhaps they worked for other families, too-I don’t remember. Juell married John Sheridan and worked in the post office as well as in Matt’s store where her new husband also worked. They eventually moved to Cedar Rapids where John worked for Collins and Juell for Armstrongs. She was also in charge of the Children’s Mission. They had no children.

Michael Lawyer Jr. was fifth. He graduated in the class of 1913. There were only two graduates that year, he and Catherine Welsh. Mike worked in the barber shop. He married Hilda Sematon rather late in life. They moved to Tama, Iowa where they had one daughter, June. Mike died suddenly only three years after that. June married Clifford Hill and they had five children, June now lives in Kansas City.

Charles Lawler was next in line. He also ended up in business in Parnell. He first worked for Mr. Van Nest at the lumber yard and later went on to own it himself. He also raised and sold black angus cattle. Charlie still lived at home while I was growing up and I remember him as a wonderful mother to us all. He was lots of fun to have around, but very protective of me during my teenage years. He married Marguerite (Rete) Jones. I need not write much about Rete since everyone knows how she took over and managed the lumber yard after Charlie’s death and later did so much for Parnell by managing the “Center” for anyone needing help or care. She was sorely missed after her death by the senior citizens of Parnell and surrounding areas. Charlie and Rete had three daughters: Frances Ellen married Dr. Fermens and lives in South America; Ginger married Bill Burke of Coggon, Iowa; Janet married; Janet married Jerry Bush and lives in Iowa City.

Florence Lawler was the seventh child. She left high school to nurse Mama Lawler after she became bedridden following several strokes. Florence gave her tender, loving care until her death. Then she married Pete Sellers, who worked as a cattle buyer. They lived in Parnell their whole lives. They had five children: Kathleen lives in California, Dick in Rock Island, Phyllis in Davenport, Louise in New Jersey, and Sharon in Cedar Rapids.
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