Memorable Manitobans: Patrick Lawler (1835-1905)

Patrick Lawler Click to enlarge

Soldier, jailer.

Born in County Clare, Ireland in November 1835, at 15 years of age he enlisted in the 31st City of London regiment, known as “The Buffs”, and saw service with the British army in many places, such as the Crimea, Malta, India, China. He arrived in Winnipeg in July 1874, and found employment as a police sergeant.

In 1880 Lawler was appointed Governor of the Provincial Gaol, which position he held at the time of his death. He served throughout the North West Rebellion of 1885. At its close he was gazetted for the honourary rank of Captain in the Canadian militia in recognition of his services to his country.

On 15 December 1884, he married Mary Brethou St. John (1854-1908). He had five children: ? Lawler (?-?, wife of T. M. Woodford), Emily Jane Lawler (?-?, wife of William George Styles), Anne Lawler (?-?, wife of George Clements), Ruby Florence Lawler (1885-1973, wife of James Currie McMillan, mother of Currie McMillan), and Lawrence Lawler (1885-1965). He was a Mason (Ancient Landmark Lodge).

He died at his Winnipeg home on 30 October 1905 and was buried in the St. John's Anglican Cemetery.

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Vaughan Street Gaol (444 York Avenue, Winnipeg)

Louts, Lunatics, and Loose Women at the Vaughan Street Jail by Kristen Verin-Treusch
Manitoba History, Number 53, October 2006.

Sources:

Birth registration [Ruby Florence Lawler, Lawrence Landsd Lawler], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

1901 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.

Marriage registration [Patrick Lawler, Mary B. St. John], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Marriage registration [Anne Lawler, George Clements Jr], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Marriage registration [Emily Jane Lawler, William George Styles], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Death registrations [Patrick Lawler, Mary Piper Lawler], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

“Death of one of the veterans,” Winnipeg Tribune, 31 October 1905, page 7.

Pioneers and Early Citizens of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Manitoba Library Association, 1971.

Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 28 August 2022

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!