Thomas' tombstone reads ``Thomas E. Lawler. Iowa,
Pvt. Co. B 129 Infantry. World War 1. June 9 1893 Feb 18 1955.''
From this we know Thomas served in World War I.According to his
obituary, Thomas was in the armed forces for 17 months,
several of which were spent overseas. He had registered for the
draft in WW I on June 5, 1917 in Crawford Co., Iowa.
His birth is given as June 1891 in the 1900 census
and his WW I draft record gives 9 Jun 1891. But his
tombstone gives the 1893 date. His obituary gives 1892.
Mary graduated from St. Ann's Academy in Vail in 1922 or 1923.
She taught in the
rural schools of Carroll and Crawford counties for four years before
she and Thomas married.
Mary died four hours after giving birth to a daughter, who
also passed away shortly after birth.
Mary's mother was Catherine Keyes Mulhall Kerrigan, whose second husband
was Lewis Kerrigan. Lewis was a son of Bridget Lawler, an aunt of Thomas.