Er Lawshe (1824-1897) was born in Union County, Pennsylvania on 27 March 1824. He moved to Atlanta, Ga. in 1848. He worked first as a cabinet maker and later opened a jewelry shop. He married Sarah Winifred Peck (1835-1894) in Atlanta on 8 August 1854. With the beginning of the Civil War, Lawshe received a Captain's commission and served the duration of the war in the Confederate Army. He returned to Atlanta, where he was active in the First Methodist Church. He is recognized as one of the founders of Old Wesley Chapel. He was also an active Mason. Er Lawshe died on 16 May 1897. Er and Sarah Lawshe had five children: three sons: John Zimmerman Lawshe (1856-1927); William Peck Lawshe (1858-1892); and Er Lawshe, Jr.( 1872-1947); and two daughters: Annie Lawshe Hardeman (1863-1951); and Margaret Lawshe (1866-?). John Zimmerman Lawshe married Willie James Elder (1869-1951) on 11 February 1891. They had one daughter, Martha (born 21 March 1892, died 20 August 1991). John Z. Lawshe graduated from Boys' High and attended the New York Homeopathic College. He graduated in 1883 and returned to Atlanta to practice medicine. In addition to medicine, John also served as United States Marshall for the North Georgia district.
From the description of Lawshe Family Papers, 1875-1965 (Atlanta History Center). WorldCat record id: 32163527
