LAWSON, James Elmer: Died 1958

LAWSON, TULLES, FANSHER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 3/25/2016 at 02:08:15

The Fairfield Ledger
Fairfield, Ia. Ledger
SAT., JAN. 11, 1958 PAGE 8

Batavia Pioneer Dies At Hospital

BATAVIA, IA. - James Elmer Lawson, 95, a resident of the Batavia community for 79 years, died Friday night in Ottumwa hospital. he had been bedfast for the last year and a half.

He was born in Wayne county Feb. 6, 1862, the son of Joseph and Rachael Tulles Lawson and was brought to Wapello county in a covered wagon when he was four years old. He often recalled crosseing the Des Moines river at Ottumwa on a ferry boat. He grew to manhood on a farm near Batavia. He attended Iowa Wesleyan college and became a member of the Batavia Methodist church when he was 13. He was active in church and community work in official and voluntary capacities.

Mr. Lawson was married to Ida H. Fansher Oct. 22, 1885. She survives with two sons and a daughter, Alfred H. Lawson, Ottumwa; Donald F. Lawson, Cleveland, O., and Anna M. Lawson, Ottumwa. A son preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Batavia Methodist church in charge of the Rev. Ronald Mercer. Burial will be in the Batavia cemetery. The body is at the Campbell funeral home at Batavia.