My Genealogy Hound

W. T. Lawson, farmer and stock-raiser, Monticello, Ark. Mr. Lawson has been a resident of this county since 1870, and of his present property since 1888, gaining in the meantime a large acquaintance and the confidence of all who know him. His birth occurred in Union County, S. C, on August 2, 1844, and his parents, Spencer and Sarah M. (Seuley) Lawson, were both natives of the same State. The parents emigrated to Georgia in 1853, located twenty-five miles northeast of Atlanta, and there the father was engaged in tilling the soil for many years. He enlisted in Company E, Twenty-second Georgia Regiment, at the breaking out of hostilities, and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863. He left a widow and six children, four now living: William T., Amanda (wife of John Thurmond), Reuben and Rosala (wife of G. W. Dukes). W. T. Lawson, like the average country boy, received his education in the common schools, and assisted his father on the farm until the breaking out of the Rebellion, and then, when only seventeen years of age, enlisted in the same company as his father (Company E, Twenty-second Georgia Regiment), serving until the surrender of Gen. Lee. He was in all the principal engagements: The seven days’ fight around Richmond (where he was slightly wounded), the second battle of Manassas, Antietam, Gettysburg, Missionary Ridge, Spottsylvania Court house, the battle of the Wilderness, Fredericksburg, and in all the general engagements of service. Out of 102 soldiers, he was one of eight left to tell the story of his comrades. After the surrender he returned to Georgia, and in 1870 came to Arkansas, locating in Drew County, and purchasing a good farm. He improved his place, tilled the soil, and resided there until the fall of 1888, when he sold out and bought 175 acres, where he now lives. He is making many improvements, and will soon have a fine place. He has some Jersey cattle, and has horses of a good pedigree. Mr. Lawson selected as his companion in life Miss Emily M. Haney, whom he married in May, 1866, and the fruits of this union have been eleven children, ten of whom are now living: Robert L., James C., William S., John B., Charles W., Sarah E. (deceased), Thomas W., Eva R., Eugene, Alvin R. and Elmo. Mr. Lawson is a member of the K. of H., the K. of P. and the Wheel. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.