ARNOLD LAWTON is the oldest living resident of Cross Creek township, and has the enviable and deserved reputation of being one of the most successful agriculturists of Washington county. His father, John Lawton, was born in 1760, near Newport, R. I., of English parents. He remained on the home farm during his boyhood, and in early life was married to Hannah Manchester, also a native of Rhode Island. The young couple first settled on a farm in their native State, but in 1812 Mr. Lawton concluded to seek his fortune in the backwoods of Washington county, Penn. Being prudent, he did not endanger his family by bringing them with him on the first prospecting trip, but walked all the way from Portsmouth, R. I., to Washington county, viewing the land as he passed along. He finally decided to settle on a tract near West Middletown, in the fertile Cross Creek valley, and returned to Rhode Island for his family. In the spring of 1813 the journey to the new home in the wilderness was made with wagons drawn by oxen and one team of horses, and the party arrived safely at their destination after traveling some three months. To this pioneer couple the following children were born: Job T., Phoebe, Owen, Lucinda, Jessie Joanna, Arnold and Harvey.
Arnold Lawton was born April 9, 1804, near Portsmouth, R. I., and was ten years of age when brought by his parents to Washington county. On the last morning that Arnold spent in Portsmouth, his father bought a rosewood military fife, which had attracted the fancy of the eager lad, and the little instrument purchased over seventy-eight years ago is yet in his possession, seemingly uninjured by age. Another relic worthy of record is an old-fashioned skillet, made of very highly-polished bell-metal, and bearing the name of the manufacturer, also the date "1730." This article was in constant use by the family until 1887, when it was laid away as a relic, and the only evident signs of the many years of service is in the legs, which are worn short. Mr. Lawton has also in his possession a very handsome violin made by himself when a young man eighteen years of age. Since his father's family first settled in Washington county, Mr. Lawton has lived on his present farm in Cross Creek township, upon which he has made many improvements of a most substantial nature. In 1857 he erected a large, handsome and substantial barn, 60x80 feet, which was erected upon an original plan of Mr. Lawton's own, every part displaying the very best style of workmanship, and being executed under the direct supervision of the owner. When at last finished, this barn was universally conceded to be the finest structure of the kind within the limits of Washington county. It was pointed to with pride by the entire community, as an evidence of the mechanical skill and taste possessed by a leading citizen, but in the fall of 1887 it was burned with all its contents. This was a heavy blow to Mr. Lawton, who had taken so much pride and comfort in its erection.
In 1874 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Andrews, who was born in 1842, in Belfast, Ireland, coming with her grandparents to America when but seven years of age. They first located in Steubenville, Ohio, but afterward settled in Patterson's Mills, this county, where they died. She then made her home with Mr. Lawton and his sister, who was then keeping house for him. After the death of this sister, Arnold Lawton felt the need of a companion, and Miss Andrews being in need of a home, the two (who had become very much attached to each other) decided to unite their lives. They have had four children, namely: Ida, Minnie, John, and one unnamed, all of whom died in infancy, and were buried in the family burying ground, excepting Ida, who was interred at West Middletown. At one time Arnold Lawton owned over 700 acres of fine land, but has disposed of all but 412 acres, which he keeps in an excellent state of cultivation; and he has given much attention to raising sheep, having had as many as 600 at one time. Politically he is a stanch member of the Democratic party. Now four-score and eight years of age, he is yet remarkably bright and energetic, although he has retired from active farm labor.
Cameron W. Lawton was born in 1874. He is an adopted son of Arnold Lawton, and evinces a strong inclination for the higher and more instructive class of literature.
Text taken from page 904 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]