For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 403
FRANK T. LAWTON....Frank T. Lawton, who owns a well improved farm in Gishen township, acquired through his own energy and good business management, was born July 24,1875 in Pennsylvania, a son of Joseph F. and Sarah ( Kline ) Lawton, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. The father has been engaged in farming ever since his marriage and is now the owner of one hundred acres which he has improved and made highly productive. There were five children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Lawton, namely : Harvey, who is married and engaged in farming in Pennsylvania ; Frank T., the subject of this review ; Mercy, now the wife of Clark Trivelpiece, also a farmer in Pennsylvania ; Roland, who is married and lives in Pennsylvania ; and Blanche, a garduate of the high school and of the State Normal School, who has been engaged in teaching for the past three years and is living at home.Frank T. Lawton received his early education in the common schools and later took a course in telegraphy. He remained at home until eighteen years of age and then in November, 1893, removed to Ohio where he remained for one year, at the end of which time he came to Atalissa, Iowa, and worked by the month for two years. His next employment was also for two years and was with the Rock Island Railway Company. Believing that agriculture pursuits offered greater inducements than the railway service, he began working by the month on a farm and then commenced farming on his own account, renting land which he cultivated so successfully that in 1900 he was able to purchase the farm upon which he now lives. It comprises one huhdred acres and is one of the highly productive properties of the neighborhood, being also well supplied with modern machinery, so that good results are obtained with the least expenditure of time and energy. Mr. Lawton raises cereals and also feeds stock for the market, applying good judgment and thus being able to secure the best prices available.
On the 12th of December, 1898, Mr. Lawton was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Cope, who was born in Muscatine county, October 24, 1873, a daughter of Charles and Mary G. ( Guild ) Cope. The parents were both born in Ohio but were married in Cedar county, Iowa, in 1870. Mr. Cope acquired a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Cedar county, which he has since disposed of. He retired in 1890 and now, having arrived at the age of seventy-six years, he makes his home with the subject of this review. His wife passed away in 1880 and her remains were interred in Tiber lake cemetery, Muscatine county. There were two children in their family ; Edith Ann, born in September, 1871, who is now the wife of Edward Bartley, an insurance man of Tipton, Iowa ; and Sarah, who is the wife of Frank T. Lawton. Three children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lawton, namely ; Boyd C., Clarence J. and Mildred J.
Mr. Lawton has made a practical demonstration of success as a farmer, showing what may be accomplished by a young man who applies himself diligently, saving his money at the beginning of his career in order to become a property owner. Having thus acquired land, he improved it and today has one of the valuable farms of the township which yields a handsome income. It is men like the subject of this review who become leaders and give strength and stability to the county, state and nation. Politically Mr. Lawton is identified with the republican party and although he has not cared for political honors, has served to the general satisfaction of Tax-payers as township trustee.
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