Dewey Lawrence Collection

Collection Description

Edward Dewey Lawrence Sr. (1888-1962) was a South Mississippi Politician.  He served four years as justice of the peace then was elected to the Harrison County Board of Supervisors for Beat 1 in 1939.  He spent the next 22 years in office serving as president of the Board of Supervisors.  He was an active member in the community taking part in the Elk’s Club and many other groups.  Dewey was King D’Iberville in 1958.  He married Antionette Ladnier (1900-1971) in 1920 and they had 4 children Mary Frances Lawrence Foster, Dewey Edward Lawrence, Frank Jerry Lawrence, and Fern Lawrence Culliver.  This collection shares bits of his life through pictures acquired from his daughter-in-law Catherine Bosarge Lawrence in 2017.

Identifier:

DLC 007.001

Date:

1939

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Campaign card for elections of Harrison County Board of Supervisors.  Dewey Lawrence running for supervisor of District 1.  

Identifier:

DLC 007.002

Date:

circa 1925

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

 Insurance company with Dewey Lawrence (top left).  Dody Dale, J.P. Themeted (?), and O’Neal also photographed.

 

Identifier:

DLC 007.003

Date:

February 21, 1920

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Wedding portrait of Edward (Dewey) Lawrence Sr. and Antionette Ladnier.  They were married by Justice of the Peace E.H. Benedich.  

Identifier:

DLC 007.004

Date:

circa 1930

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

 Dewey Lawrence (top second from left) was photographed with the other staff of American National Insurance Co. located on Lameuse Street in downtown Biloxi. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.005

Date:

circa 1930

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Headshot of Dewey Lawrence

Identifier:

DLC 007.006

Date:

February 18, 1958

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence as King D’Iberville (King of Biloxi Mardi Gras) 1958 riding the king’s float.  

Identifier:

DLC 007.007

Date:

February 18, 1958

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence as King D’Iberville with his court. The dukes photographed are Dominic A. Fallo, Roy L. Elder, Myles Holcomb, Wendell C. Lewis, Jack Hall, and Gatha Ladner. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.008

Date:

February 18, 1958

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Mardi Gras Ball with the presentation of the 1958 royal court. Held at the Buena Vista Hotel. The royal court included dukes Dominic A. Fallo, Roy L. Elder, Myles Holcomb, Wendell C. Lewis, Jack Hall, and Gatha Ladner.  The maids were Janis Walker, Becky Bacot, Sandra Parker, Ann Weatherford, Lila McIlwain, and Shirley Brister. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.009

Date:

February 17-18, 1958

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence and Queen Ixoleb Johnette Walker at the Gulf Coast Carnival Association Ball at the Buena Vista without costumes.

Identifier:

DLC 007.010

Date:

March 5, 1957

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

King’s boat of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association.  The following appear in the photograph Fred Moran, Anthony Ragusin, W.K. “Skeet” Hunt, Walter Fountain Jr., Frank P. Corso Sr., Dr. Eldon Bolton, Ed Kyhot, Dewey Lawrence, Laz Quave, and Matt Lyons.

Identifier:

DLC 007.011

Date:

February 1958

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

King’s Boat of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association. Dewey Lawrence photographed front and center. Also photographed Walter Fountain Jr. (top left) and Anthony Ragusin (bottom right).

Identifier:

DLC 007.012

Date:

February 1958

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

King’s boat of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association. Dewey Lawrence in front center.  

Identifier:

DLC 007.013

Date:

September 21, 1941

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence photographed with both his son’s Jerry Lawrence and Dewey Lawrence Jr. at the Biloxi Fireman’s Day Parade.  This parade celebrated 58th anniversary of the organized volunteer fire company.  

Identifier:

DLC 007.014

Date:

September 19, 1954

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence riding horseback in the Biloxi Fireman’s Day Parade as marshal for the West End Fire Company #3.

Identifier:

DLC 007.015

Date:

September 21, 1941

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence riding in the Biloxi Fireman’s Day Parade. He was riding John Bechnel’s horse Pal.   Photograph possibly taken on Highway 90 or West Howard.  Light up sign advertising the Saenger Theatre in the background.

Identifier:

DLC 007.016

Date:

September 19, 1954

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence and Biloxi Fireman on the day of the Fireman’s Day Parade.  With the members of the West End Fire Company #3.  This year he served as marshal for this fire company. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.017

Date:

circa 1950

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence testing county equipment as Harrison County Supervisor. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.018

Date:

October 16, 1961

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence and Wade Guice (Head of Civil Defense for Harrison County) looking at the new mobile headquarters.  The mobile headquarters was 12 by 30 feet and could sleep 5 people.  This photographed originally appeared in the Daily Herald.

Identifier:

DLC 007.019

Date:

circa 1960

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence with military officials. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.020

Date:

September 1951

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence at County Supervisor’s Convention.  Also photographed Clarence Edge, Dave Soloman, S.R. Carey, William Colmer, and O.F. Cassiby 

Identifier:

DLC 007.021

Date:

circa 1955

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence and group in front of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce on Beach Boulevard (Highway 90).  

Identifier:

DLC 007.022

Date:

December 20, 1950

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence at local banquet.  Back of photograph states, “Scene during the fabulous dinner of Biloxi seafood cookery given by the Biloxi Chamber at the West End Fire Station #3 on Wednesday December 20, 1950 in honor of Don Eddy famous food writer and authority for the American Magazine.”  

Identifier:

DLC 007.023

Date:

December 6, 1956

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence at Covacevich Shipyard.  The following is on the back of the photograph, “This scene was made at the Covacevich Ship Yard on Back Bay of Biloxi on December 6, 1956 and shows construction on the 145 foot steel fishing vessel begin build for George Castigliola of Pascagoula, Robert H. Macy is the naval architect; A. W. “Tony-Jack” Covacevich, owner and general manager of yard; Doyle Herring, foreman, steel yard.  Presented as a memento of this occasion by the City of Biloxi, Laz Quave, Mayor, and the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, Matt Lyons, President.” 

Identifier:

DLC 007.024

Date:

June 28, 1951

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence standing on Biloxi’s man-made beach west of the Biloxi Lighthouse.  Deer Island is slightly visible in the background.  He is demonstrating the first mile of the 26 man-made beach. Image appeared in The Daily Herald.

Identifier:

DLC 007.025

Date:

circa 1950

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence on one way street leading towards the beach or Back Bay Biloxi. He completed many road paving projects as county supervisor.

Identifier:

DLC 007.026

Date:

December 9, 1955

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Ribbon cutting for the opening of Biloxi’s 4-lane Highway 90 aka Beach Boulevard.  Dewey Lawrence (fourth from the right) is also photographed with state highway commissioner John Smith, Kay Freeman (Biloxi’s Miss Hospitality), Laz Quave (Biloxi’s Mayor), Catherine Baricev (Biloxi’s Shrimp Queen), Anthony Ragusin is at the far left. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.027

Date:

circa 1955

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence at breakfast.  Top of photograph states “The morning after the night before.” 

Identifier:

DLC 007.028

Date:

circa 1960

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence with wife Antionette Ladnier Lawrence.

Identifier:

DLC 007.029

Date:

circa 1960

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence and two unknown participants related to the decision to make Harrison County a “wet or dry” county.  Dewey participated in a four-person panel in favor of the Liquor Bill on March 1, 1960. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.030

Date:

circa 1955

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence at Mississippi Association of Supervisors Convention.

Identifier:

DLC 007.031

Date:

circa 1960

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence with unidentifed woman.

Identifier:

DLC 007.032

Date:

October 3, 1956

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence (Board President) welcoming Gatha Ladner after his interim appointment to the Harrison County Board of Supervisors.  Gatha Ladner replaced his cousin W.M. Ladner after his death. Image appeared in The Daily Herald. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.033

Date:

September 27-29, 1956

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence with speakers at the Association of Mississippi Supervisors.  The conference was held at the Buena Vista in Biloxi, Mississippi.  Dewey Lawrence was master of ceremonies for the Monday Luncheon. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.034

Date:

circa 1960

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence with group promoting Biloxi Seafood.  Biloxi was known as the “Seafood Capital of the World” in the early 1900s for its canned seafood including oysters.

Identifier:

DLC 007.035

Date:

circa 1960

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence with his family at a Gulf Coast Carnival Association event.  His son Jerry Lawrence and wife Catherine Bosarge Lawrence and Dewey Lawrence Jr.

Identifier:

DLC 007.036

Date:

circa 1950

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence entertaining a crowd at the original Slavonian Lodge.  It was located at the corner of First and Myrtle Streets on Point Cadet. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.037

Date:

circa 1950

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence with a group of Elks. He was an active member in the Biloxi Elk’s Club. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.038

Date:

circa 1960

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence and wife Antionette Ladnier Lawrence at the Court of the Two Sister’s Restaurant in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Identifier:

DLC 007.039

Date:

circa 1950

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence with son Jerry Lawrence and granddaughter Marie “Toni” Nell.  They were at the train station in Biloxi to see Jerry of to Basic Training for the Army National Guard.  

Identifier:

DLC 007.040

Date:

April 7, 1956

Date Added:

December 5, 2021

Description:

Dewey Lawrence dancing with his youngest daughter Fern Lawrence at her first wedding to Carl Ray Kerr.  The ceremony was held at Sacred Heart Church and the reception was held at the Biloxi Community House.

Dewey Lawrence Collection Finding Aid

Identifier #DateTopic List 
 DLC 007.001 1939Harrison County, Harrison County elections, County Supervisor, campaign, candidate, elections
 DLC 007.002 circa 1925  insurance company, insurance, 
 DLC 007.003 February 21, 1920 wedding, wedding portrait, marriage
 DLC 007.004 circa 1930 insurance company, insurance, American National Insurance Company, Lameuse Street
 DLC 007.005 circa 1930 headshot, elected official 
 DLC 007.006 February 18, 1958Mardi Gras, King D’Iberville, float, parade, king’s float, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Gulf Coast Carnival Association 
 DLC 007.007 February 18, 1958Mardi Gras, King D’Iberville, float, parade, king’s float, royal court, duke, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Gulf Coast Carnival Association
 DLC 007.008 February 18, 1958Mardi Gras, King D’Iberville, Mardi Gras ball, Buena Vista, king’s float, royal court, duke, maids, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Gulf Coast Carnival Association
 DLC 007.009 February 17-18, 1958Mardi Gras, King D’Iberville, Queen Ixoleb, Mardi Gras ball, Buena Vista, royal court, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Gulf Coast Carnival Association
 DLC 007.010  March 5, 1957Mardi Gras, King D’Iberville, king’s boat, royal court, dukes, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Gulf Coast Carnival Association
 DLC 007.011  February 1958 Mardi Gras, King D’Iberville, king’s boat, royal court, dukes, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Gulf Coast Carnival Association
 DLC 007.012 February 1958Mardi Gras, King D’Iberville, king’s boat, royal court, dukes, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Gulf Coast Carnival Association
 DLC 007.013 September 21, 1941Fireman’s Day Parade, Biloxi Fire Department, Fire Company, Hose and Ladder, Fire Truck, Fire Engine 
 DLC 007.014 September 19, 1954Fireman’s Day Parade, Biloxi Fire Department, Fire Company, Hose and Ladder, Horseback riding, West End Fire Company #3
 DLC 007.015 September 21, 1941Fireman’s Day Parade, Biloxi Fire Department, Fire Company, Hose and Ladder, Horseback riding, Saenger Theatre
 DLC 007.016 September 19, 1954Fireman’s Day Parade, Biloxi Fire Department, Fire Company, Hose and Ladder, Horseback riding, West End Fire Company #3, firemen, fireman
 DLC 007.017 1950-1962 Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, tractor, heavy equipment
  DLC 007.018  October 16, 1961Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Civil Defense, Disaster, Hurricanes, Mobile Headquarters
 DLC 007.019 Circa 1960Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, USAF, United States Air Force, Military, Keesler Air Force Base, Armed Forces
 DLC 007.020 Circa 1960Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Mississippi Association of County Supervisors, conference, meeting
 DLC 007.021 Circa 1955Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, Building, Beach Boulevard, Highway 90, Tourism
 DLC 007.022  December 20, 1950 Food, Seafood, Banquet, Dinner, West End Fire Station #3, West End Fire Company #3, food writer, American Magazine 
 DLC 007.023 December 6, 1956Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Shipyard, Covacevich Shipyard, Back Bay Biloxi, Fishing Boat, Ship Building 
 DLC 007.024 June 28, 1951Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Front Beach, Man-Made Beach, Land Reclamation, Biloxi Lighthouse, Pier, Deer Island, Beach Boulevard, Highway 90
 DLC 007.025 Circa 1950Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Street Paving, Biloxi 
 DLC 007.026 December 9, 1955Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Highway Commission, Highway 90, Beach Boulevard, Ribbon-Cutting, Four-lane Highway, Front Beach
 DLC 007.027 Circa 1958Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Breakfast, Brunch, Good Ole Boy’s Club 
 DLC 007.028 Circa 1960 Couple, Marriage, Coast Families
 DLC 007.029 Circa 1960-1962Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Liquor Laws, Wet or Dry, Debate, Prohibition, Temperance 
 DLC 007.030 Circa 1955Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Mississippi Association of County Supervisors, Conference, Meeting
 DLC 007.031 Circa 1960Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Speech, Policy 
 DLC 007.032 October 3, 1956Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Interim Supervisor, Local Government 
 DLC 007.033 September 27-29, 1953Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Speaker, Mississippi Association of County Supervisors, Buena Vista, Biloxi 
 DLC 007.034 Circa 1960Mardi Gras, King D’Iberville, Queen Ixoleb, Mardi Gras ball, Buena Vista, royal court, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, Gulf Coast Carnival Association
 DLC 007.035 Circa 1960 Seafood, Canned Seafood, Oysters, Shrimp, Crab, Biloxi Tourism, Biloxi Chamber of Commerce 
 DLC 007.036 Circa 1950Harrison County, Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Harrison County Supervisor, Speaker, Slavonian Benevolent Society, Croatia, Croatian Immigrants, Point Cadet, Slavonian Lodge
 DLC 007.037 Circa 1950Elk’s Club, Fraternal Organizations, Men’s Groups
 DLC 007.038 Circa 1960Restaurant, New Orleans, Louisiana, French Quarter, Court of the Two Sister’s 
 DLC 007.039 1950Biloxi Train Station, Trains, National Guard, Armed Forces, Military, Farewell
 DLC 007.040  April 7, 1956Biloxi Community House, Wedding, Bride, Father of the Bride, Marriage, Dress, Dance