John William Lawson (September 13, 1837 – February 21, 1905) was a U.S. Representative from Virginia.

John Williams Lawson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 2nd district
In office
March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1893
Preceded byGeorge E. Bowden
Succeeded byD. Gardiner Tyler
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Isle of Wight County
In office
1884–1885
Preceded byIrvin W. Duck[1]
Succeeded byJames Chalmers
In office
1869–1873
Preceded byDistrict established
Succeeded byGeorge Jordan
Member of the Virginia Senate from Isle of Wight, Nansemond and Southampton Counties
In office
1874–1877
Preceded bySamuel Boykin
Succeeded byKenneth Griffin
Personal details
Born(1837-09-13)September 13, 1837
James City County, Virginia
DiedFebruary 21, 1905(1905-02-21) (aged 67)
Smithfield, Virginia
Resting placeIvy Hill Cemetery, Smithfield, Virginia
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materCollege of William and Mary
University of Virginia
University of the City of New York
Professionphysician, farmer
Military service
AllegianceConfederate States of America
Branch/serviceConfederate Army
Years of service1861–1865
RankSurgeon
Unit32nd Virginia Infantry, Army of Northern Virginia
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Biography

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Lawson's grave at Ivy Hill Cemetery

Born in James City County, Virginia, Lawson attended the schools of Williamsburg, College of William and Mary, and the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. He studied medicine. He was graduated from the University of the City of New York, March 4, 1861. He returned to Virginia, and during the Civil War enlisted in the Thirty-second Regiment of Virginia Infantry, Confederate States Army. He served as assistant surgeon in charge of Artillery battalion. He was promoted to surgeon March 10, 1864, and served until the surrender at Appomattox April 9, 1865. He settled in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, December 1865. Practiced medicine for ten years, when he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He served as member of the State house of delegates in 1869–1873. He served in the State senate in 1874–1877. He was again a member of the State house of delegates in 1883 and 1884.

Lawson was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-second Congress (March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1893). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1892. He resumed farming. He served as delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1901 and 1902. He died in Smithfield, Virginia, on February 21, 1905. He was interred in Ivy Hill Cemetery.

Electoral history

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1890; Lawson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives defeating Republican George Edwin Bowden and Independent Republican C.W. Murdaugh, winning 50.71% of the vote.

Sources

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  1. ^ "Section 9 - Members of the House of Delegates" Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Commonwealth of Virginia. Pg.287. 1882.
  • United States Congress. "John W. Lawson (id: L000145)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 2nd congressional district

1891–1893
Succeeded by