The Lawson Family

William Lawson in A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

WILLIAM LAWSON.

William Lawson, a highly respected agriculturist of Steady Run, now residing on the fine old homestead in section 30, has attained prosperity and influence largely through the conscientious performance of filial duties and by following closely in the footsteps of his father. During his youth he was a co-worker with his father, and upon the death of the latter fell heir to a part of the family estate. And here.

since a lad, he has spent his life in the development of its large re- sources. Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 7, iSj-,, he is the son of Hugh and Nancy ( Murphy j Lawson, well-to-do farm- ing people.

Hugh Lawson was one of those sturdy, hard-working Irishmen who have done so much for the development of the agricultural re- sources of this country. Born in Ireland in 17S6, when but six weeks old he was taken by his parents to this country, and soon afterward to a Pennsylvania farm, where they made their home for the rest of their lives. Here the son received the education and rearing of an ordinary American farm lad. Upon reaching manhood he did not shun the labor to which he had been trained, and with a steadfast purpose settled upon a farm of his own. During this period, while still residing in Pennsylvania, he married Nancy Murphy, who was of Scotch descent, but who was born and reared in Pennsylvania. Of this union there were ten children, six sons and four daughters: James; William, who is men- tioned below; David and Elizabeth, both now deceased; Thomas; Sarah; Joseph, now deceased ; Agnes ; Matilda, now deceased ; and John. The first eight were born in Pennsylvania, the two youngest in Indiana. Pos- sessed of that courage and determination which scorns fear of priva- tion and hardship, Mr. Lawson, in 1834, boldly left his comfortable Pennsylvania home and moved to a pioneer farm in the newly settled region of Indiana Here he spent twelve years in clearing up the place, making it during that time one of the most valuable pieces of property in the vicinity. His success encouraged him in the course of time to take a hand in the opening up of the farther west, and in 1846 he moved to Iowa. He spent the winter in Westpoint, looking for a suitable location, and in the spring of 1847 took a one hundred and

sixty acre farm in Keokuk county, which is now in the possession of his sons. He spent many years of hard work in clearing and improving the place, and as a result had in time one of the choicest farms in the vicinity. Being among the first settlers, he had the pick of the land in the county, a fact of which the place still bears evidence. A man of vigorous constitution, he lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven. He died on the farm in Keokuk county, where he had spent the best days of his life. Mr. Lawson was a zealous patriot all his life. When the war of 1812 broke out he enlisted and did some valiant service for his country- As a Democrat he took a lively interest in politics and was very influ- ential. A large capacity for work and an unwavering purpose in life obtained for him in time a very solid prosperity.

William Lawson as a child saw a great deal of pioneer life. Very young when his parents left the Pennsylvania farm, he spent twelve years of his early life on the Indiana farm. Later he moved with his parents to Steady Run, Iowa, where he received a little schooling and a great deal of discipline in rough farm labor. The work was not, however, without its compensation, and he acquired in time a practical knowledge «if agriculture, which has been invaluable to him in later years. For a long time he assisted his father in the management of the large farm and after his father's death fell heir to the old homestead and ninety acres of land. The rest of the property was divided among the other children. On this place Mr. Lawson has continued the work that his father began and has proved himself by no means inferior to the latter as an agriculturist. His crops have been large and of the best quality, and have commanded for him a good price in the market. Wise in financial management he has been enabled to lay aside some-

^^cx^v^eo^- yl^a-eJ-TL^

thing for a rainy day and has added to his estate by the purchase of eighty-seven and one-half acres near the flourishing city of Hedrick.

In 1866 Mr. Lawson married Ellen McMillen, who was burn in Ohio, but in 1848, when four years old, moved with her parents, John and Frances (Middleton) McMillen, to Steady Run, Iowa. Both parents were natives of America, and among the old settlers of Keokuk county. Mr. McMillen secured a one hundred and sixty acre farm in the earlv days and afterward added to his property until at the time of his death he owned five hundred acres in the vicinity, most of which he had cleared and greatly improved. He died July 9, 1855, and his wife in 1899. To Mr. and Mrs. Lawson have been born four children : Jennie, who is now deceased; Hugh; Fannie; and John, all of whom were born and reared in the old homestead. As one of the old settlers and one of the most progressive agriculturists in his section Mr. Lawson is thoroughly well known in his vicinity. lie is a Democrat in politics and exerts an influence in public affairs.

Source: A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.