Lawrence Dyeing and Cleaning

Old Time Erie photo courtesy of Ada Lawrence.

Emma Gertrude Lawrence was the first female African-American businessperson in Erie, Pa. She owned Lawrence Dyeing & Cleaning, which was located at 402 West 3rd St., on the northwest corner of 3rd and Chestnut.

The business was born of necessity. Emma's husband John passed in 1889 and she was left with four young children to care for. She started from scratch, taking in laundry in her own home. She excelled at her job and as word spread, business began to increase. Lawrence Dyeing and Cleaning was founded in 1906 and was well known throughout all of Erie. When Gertrude passed away in 1934, her son Charles Lawrence took over and the operated the business until 1963, working with his sister Effie Lucas. 

Gertrude made time in her busy life to maintain membership in several civic organizations. Her work ethic was not lost on her children. Earl Lawrence was a well-known musician and popular teacher in the Erie area. To learn more about other African-American families in Erie, read the wonderful book Journey From Jerusalem by Sarah S. Thompson and Karen James.

Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, Pennsylvania at Old Time Erie

Ada Lawrence- An Exceptional Teacher

Wayne School ID for Ada Lawrence from the 1953-54 school year.

Ada Lawrence is the third generation of a pioneering Erie family. Her grandmother, Emma Gertrude Lawrence, owned Lawrence Cleaning and Dyeing, and was the first black business woman in town. Her father, Earl Lawrence, taught thousands of budding musicians at schools in Fairview, Summit and Girard, as well as in his own studio and at the Erie Conservatory of Music. 

Ada Lawrence made it her life's mission to educate children, and was hired as a full-time teacher on September 3, 1946. She was the first African-American woman to cross the color line in the Erie School District. She began her 36 year career at McKinley Elementary School at a salary of $1,600 per year.

Miss Lawrence was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. She attended Burns Elementary and Gridley Middle School, and then graduated from Strong Vincent High School (Class of '39) and Cheyney State Teachers College (Class of '43). She was a substitute teacher in the orthogenic department of the Erie School District at the end of World War II, teaching at Burton, McKinley and Jones Elementary schools, and became associated with Dr. Gertrude Barber. Ms. Lawrence also taught at Penn and Wayne schools.

Erie City Council honored Ada Lawrence with a Proclamation on October 3, 2007. This remarkable woman spent her final days at Sunrise Assisted Living at Presque Isle Bay, just one mile from her childhood home at 221 West Front Street, where Harry T. Burleigh was a frequent visitor. 

Ada passed away on March 14, 2014. She was buried at the Erie Cemetery. Read her obituary here. Click here to learn more about Ada Lawrence

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie

Earl Lawrence Taught Many Musicians

Earl Lawrence taught music to thousands of people in Erie County before he passed away in 1969. He was so popular that the Fairview High School Class of 1942 dedicated their yearbook to him. He retired as a high school teacher in 1951.

Mr. Lawrence was born in Erie, PA in 1881 and was the son of John and Emma Lawrence. He graduated from Erie High School in 1901. Earl was an inspiration to many students, a number of whom went on to become professional musicians. Bruce Morton Wright and Mary Alice Brown were prodigies. Harry T. Burleigh was a personal friend, and he stayed at the Lawrence home at 221 West Front St. when he visited Erie.

Earl was highly respected in the local community. "Mr. Lawrence spent many years as a performer in bands of various types in dance halls, parks, hotels, and in the homes of prominent Erie citizens." Learn more details about the life of Earl Lawrence at: Erie African American Wiki

Enjoy more facts and photos about the rich history of Erie, Pennsylvania at: Old Time Erie