Individual 286: Lawyer, Richard Eugene (Dick)

Individual Record 286

Name} Lawyer, Richard Eugene (Dick)

Family History} Olson

Title}

Race} White

Sex} Male

Birth: Date} Exa 23 Aug 1915

Place} Alhambra, Los Angeles, California

Marr.: Date} Exa 2 Oct 1936 M

Place} Church of Our Savior, San Gabriel, Los Angeles, CA (Link)

Death: Date} Exa 3 Jan 1999

Place} Sierra Madre, Los Angeles, California

Burial: Date} Aft 3 Jan 1999

Place}

Grave Marker}

Source 1}	73 = Interview
Source 2}	279 = Family notes
Source 3}	534 = Birth record
Source 4}	758 = 1920 USA cen
Source 5}	751 = 1930 USA cen
Source 6}	2197=Newspaper
Source 7}	1430=Marriage rec
Source 8}	87 = Diary
Source 9}	325 = Business dir
Source 10}	326 = Phone book
Source 11}	2198=1940 USA cen
Source 12}	1972=Military rec
Source 13}	2199=City dirctry
Source 14}	2207=Military rec
Source 15}	872 = Voter record
Source 16}	2200=1950 USA cen
Source 17}	2201=Passenger list
Source 18}	862 = Photograph
Source 19}	680 = S.S. record
Source 20}	2202=Obituary

Parents: } Arthur A. Lawyer & Ida E. Olson
Relationship No.} 118

1st Household No.} 261 = Alhambra, Los Angeles, California

Occupation 1} Mill worker
Occupation 2} Salesman

Religion/Church}

Spouses: Prime} Seay, Dorothy E. (Dottie)
Total Number of} 1

Notes: Richard E. Lawyer was born 23 Aug 1915 in Alhambra, Los Angeles, California. His parents were Arthur A. Lawyer and Ida E. Olson. He had an older brother Lewis born in 1907 and an older sister Betty born in 1912.

In the 1920 U.S. census, Richard E., 4, was living with his parents Arthur A. Lawyer, 47, and Ida E., 42, at 30 North Third Street, Alhambra, Los Angeles, California. His father was a bookkeeper for a lumber company, presumbably the Olson Lumber Company, owned by his mother's brother, Frank Olson. The family owned their home, free of mortgage. His siblings were Lewis O., 12, and Mary Elizabeth, 7.

In the 1930 U.S. census, Richard E., 14, was living with his parents, Arthur A. Lawyer, 58, and Ida E., 52, in the Third Street home. His father was a lumberman for the lumber yard. Their home was valued at $8,000. and they had a radio set. His siblings were Lewis O., 22, a truck driver for the Olson Lumber Company, and Betty E., 17. In 1936, Richard was a salesman and registered to vote as a Republican, at the family address.

Richard E. Lawyer, 21, married Dorothy Seay, 19, on 2 Oct 1936 in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, California. According to the diary of Mary Agnes Noble, they were married in the Church of Our Saviour in San Gabriel. They made their home first in Alhambra, than San Marino, and finally Sierra Madre.

In 1939, Richard was a salesman for the Alhambra Planning Mill, owned by his cousin Donald Olson. He later went to work for his uncle Frank Thomas, and managed Frank's interests in Arizona during World War II.

In the 1940 U.S. census, Richard E. Lawyer, 24, and his wife, Dorothy E., 22, were living at 2929 Clarence Avenue, San Marino, San Gabriel Twp., Los Angeles, California. He was a manager at the planning mill, and had completed four years of high school. On 16 Oct 1940, Richard Eugene Lawyer, 25, registered for the World War II draft. He was self employed at the Alhambra Planning Mill, 200 West Woodward Avenue, and was described as 5 ft, 9 in., 160 lbs, with a ruddy complexion, blond hair and gray hair.

According to his daughter Linda, Richard served in the military during WW II, and was stationed in Florida. A military pay record shows a Richard E. Lawyer, Service Number 33510349, was absent [deserter] in Apr 1944, with the Stnd.Co. C Eng Stnd, Ho Regt. Their two adopted children were both born in Tennessee.

In the 1950 U.S. census, Richard E. Lawyer, 24, and his wife, Dorothy E., 32, were living at 415 E. Orange Grove, Sierra Madre, Los Angeles, California. He was the co-owner of the retail lumber company. Their children were Dennis K., 2, and Linda L., about 6 months. They had a maid, Gwenn Ramage, 18, born in Oklahoma.

By 1952, Richard and his wife were listed in the various telephone directories as living in Sierra Madre. He had now become President of the Olson Lumber Company, which was located at 1001 S. Fremont Avenue, Alhambra. The Voter registration records show them listed as Republicans, registered in Alhambra (1936-1938), San Marino (1942-1948), and Sierra Madre (1948-1954). In 1952 they took a trip to Hawaii, sailing home to Los Angeles from Honolulu aboard the S.S. Lurline on 26 Oct 1952.

Richard and his wife spent some of their retirement years living at their second home in Baja California. In 1994, they attended the 50th Wedding Anniversary party for Don and Frances Olson, in Arcadia. Richard died 3 Jan 1999, probably in Sierra Madre, California, his last residence. There were no services and his burial place is unknown.