Harry C. Lawder was born on March 4, 1844, on a farm in Harford County, Maryland, to Eliza (née Miller) and Samuel Lawder.

[2] Lawder was appointed as officer of registration for Havre de Grace in 1886.

He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Havre de Grace district of Harford County, from 1906 to 1910.

[4] In May 1914, Lawder was appointed postmaster of Havre de Grace.

[2][7] They had seven children, Frederick C., Bessie M., Harry C. Jr., William M., May J., Murray Vandiver and Robert R. His son Robert R. was a member of the Maryland Senate and Maryland House of Delegates, and mayor of Havre de Grace.